KIM PUSHES FOR FASTER GROWTH OF NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES

PYONGYANG, JUNE 4 /SRNA-Reuters/ – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for an "exponential" expansion of his country's nuclear arsenal during a visit to a new nuclear material production facility, the state news agency KCNA reported.

Kim said the production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear material has more than doubled over the past five years and instructed officials to further increase output in order to meet long-term strategic goals.

During the visit, he was briefed on new production processes involving more advanced technology and reviewed current production targets and future plans, KCNA said.

Photographs released by state media showed Kim walking between rows of cylindrical equipment inside the facility, which analysts said could indicate the site is located within the main nuclear complex at Yongbyon.

Kim said the expansion was necessary because of worsening security threats and the prolonged confrontation with what he described as the country's "most hostile enemies".

He reiterated that North Korea intends to strengthen its nuclear deterrence capabilities.

KCNA reported that a key consultative meeting on strengthening nuclear forces was held the same day, during which Kim outlined guidelines for accelerating both the qualitative and quantitative expansion of North Korea's nuclear arsenal.