North Korea's Kim calls for bolstering nuclear forces this year, KCNA reports
SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for bolstering nuclear forces this year during a visit to a nuclear material production base and nuclear weapons institute, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday (Jan 29).
His trip highlighting the country's growing nuclear arsenal came as Pyongyang has been ramping up its show of force around US President Donald Trump's return to office with a resumption of missile tests, which South Korea said were partly aimed at enticing Trump's attention.
Kim praised scientists and other workers there for achieving "remarkable successes" and "amazing production results" in their work last year as he was briefed about the process for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials and their plan for 2025 and beyond, KCNA reported.
Kim called for further success in producing weapons-grade nuclear materials this year and strengthening the country's nuclear forces.
"This year is a crucial year as it is an important watershed in which we should carry out the tasks in the important period in the course of implementing the line of bolstering up the nuclear forces," Kim said, according to KCNA.
North Korea faces "the world's most unstable security situation" due to a longstanding confrontation with "the most vicious hostile countries," which makes it indispensable for the country to boost its nuclear capability, he added.
Pyongyang has long argued that its nuclear arsenal is aimed at fending off threats from Washington and its allies, which fought the North during the 1950-53 Korean War.
Analysts estimate North Korea may have produced enough fissile material to build up to 90 nuclear warheads.
Seoul's National Intelligence Service has said the North's recent display of force was in part intended