North Korea has unveiled a new facility for producing nuclear bomb fuels, with leader Kim Jong Un calling for an "exponential" expansion of the country's atomic arsenal, according to state news agency KCNA.

During a visit to the facility on Thursday, Kim said production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear material has more than doubled compared to five years ago. He attributed the need for expansion to worsening security threats and a long-term confrontation with what he termed the "most ferocious enemies," reaffirming his policy of strengthening nuclear deterrence.

KCNA reported that Kim was briefed on new production processes incorporating advanced technology and reviewed current output targets and future plans. Photos published by the agency showed Kim walking through narrow aisles lined with dense rows of silver tubes and pipes.

A key consultative meeting on increasing nuclear forces was held the same day. KCNA quoted Kim as saying the country has set out the sequence and safeguards for executing an "ambitious future plan designed to beef up our state's nuclear forces at an exponential rate," calling it a "historic event."

Analysts suggest the visit aims to reinforce that denuclearization is not an option ahead of potential diplomatic engagement, particularly with the US regime. Chad O'Carroll of NK News linked the visit to a possible trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang, noting a similar pattern before Kim's September visit to Beijing.

Source: www.aljazeera.com