Seoul, 13 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a uranium enrichment facility where he was briefed on the production of weapons-grade nuclear material and laid out plans to boost nuclear capabilities, state news agency KCNA reported on Friday.

The visit details, including the timing and location of the uranium enrichment base, were not specified by KCNA.

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, this marks the first time North Korea has publicly disclosed information about its uranium enrichment facility.

On Monday, Kim expressed his intention to significantly increase North Korea's nuclear weapons arsenal. He also accused "hostile" forces of wanting to attack North Korea with nuclear weapons, without specifying which countries he meant or providing evidence.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), North Korea currently possesses around 50 nuclear warheads, though the exact number is unknown.

Widely isolated North Korea is subject to international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons and missile programme. The last known nuclear test took place in 2017.

Tensions have risen on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang significantly expanded its missile tests over the past two years, while sharpening its rhetoric against the US and South Korea. It has also strengthened its military cooperation with Russia.

Photo: EPA