North Korea's Kim calls for 'exponential' nuclear expansion after inspecting new plant, KCNA says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered an "exponential" expansion of the country's nuclear arsenal after inspecting a newly operational nuclear material production facility. State media KCNA reported that Kim visited the plant and was briefed on new, advanced production processes. He stated that the capacity to produce weapons-grade nuclear material has more than doubled in the past five years and instructed officials to further increase output to meet strategic goals. Kim justified the expansion by citing worsening security threats and long-term confrontation with hostile forces, reaffirming North Korea's policy of continuously strengthening its nuclear deterrent. A consultative meeting on bolstering nuclear forces was also held, where Kim outlined guidelines for accelerating both qualitative and quantitative expansion. He described the plan as a "transformative milestone" for advancing nuclear capabilities.

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production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear material had reached more than double its previous level over the past five years and instructed officials to further increase output to meet long-term strategic goals.