North Korea Unveils New Uranium-Enrichment Plant, Vows Rapid Nuclear Expansion

North Korea on Thursday unveiled a new uranium-enrichment facility believed to produce fuel for nuclear weapons, with leader Kim Jong Un declaring plans to expand the country's nuclear forces “at an exponential rate” amid what he described as growing security threats.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff assessed the newly disclosed site as a uranium enrichment plant and said it was closely coordinating with the United States to monitor North Korea's nuclear activities. The location of the facility and the date it became operational were not disclosed.

According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) , the plant uses “more sophisticated technology.” Images released by state media appeared to show a large hall filled with centrifuges , which are used to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons production.

Kim visited the facility on Wednesday to review its operations and long-term production plans. KCNA quoted him as saying that strengthening the country's nuclear deterrent in both quality and quantity had become increasingly urgent due to confrontations with “the most ferocious enemies,” an apparent reference to the United States and South Korea .

Kim claimed North Korea's capacity to produce weapons-grade nuclear material has more than doubled over the past five years, though the assertion could not be independently verified. He also said senior officials had approved priorities for an ambitious plan to expand the nation's nuclear forces.

The disclosure comes less than two years after North Korea revealed another uranium-enrichment facility in 2024. Analysts estimate Pyongyang may now possess more than 100 nuclear warheads , although assessments vary.

North Korea has not conducted a nuclear test since 2017 but has significantly expanded its arsenal of nuclear-capable missiles . The country's nuclear buildup accelerated after diplomacy between Kim and then-US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. In April, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported a “rapid increase” in activity at North Korean nuclear facilities.