Kim Jong-un's First Public Inspection of 'Uranium Enrichment Facility'
North Korea Accelerates Production of 'Miniaturized' Tactical Nuclear Weapons
Two Months Before US Presidential Election... Boosting Trump Support
North Korea has publicly revealed its 'uranium enrichment facility' for the first time. With less than two months remaining until the U.S. presidential election, analysts suggest this could mark the beginning of a full-scale intervention to showcase its nuclear capabilities. Given that North Korea has mentioned 'preemptive nuclear use' since last year, concerns about tactical nuclear weapons (small-scale nukes) are expected to rise again.
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 13th, Chairman Kim Jong-un inspected a nuclear weapons research institute and a weapons-grade nuclear material production facility, ordering a full-scale effort in nuclear material production. Chairman Kim said, "Just looking at this place gives me strength," and added, "To exponentially increase nuclear weapons, we must not be complacent but further enhance the individual separation capacity of centrifuges and strengthen the foundation for weapons-grade nuclear material production."
"Just looking at it gives me strength"... Accelerating 'nuclear warhead miniaturization'
This is the first time North Korea has disclosed details and photos of its uranium enrichment facility. The uranium enrichment facility is where uranium is placed in centrifuges and spun at high speeds to produce highly enriched uranium (HEU), which is used in nuclear warhead manufacturing. Intelligence authorities believe North Korea possesses uranium enrichment facilities at the Yongbyon nuclear site in North Pyongan Province and the Kangs?n complex near Pyongyang. Previously, in 2010, North Korea invited American nuclear physicist Dr. Siegfried Hecker to show him the uranium enrichment facility within the Yongbyon nuclear site.
South Korean and U.S. authorities estimate that North Korea is producing about 80 to 100 kilograms of highly enriched uranium annually. Considering that approximately 20 kilograms of HEU is typically needed to make one nuclear warhead and that North Korea also holds a significant amount of another nuclear material, plutonium, it is assessed that the country could increase its nuclear warhead stockpile by several dozen units per year. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated in June that North Korea possesses around 50 nuclear warheads, an increase of 20 warheads compared to last year.
North Korea had already revealed the name and photo of its tactical nuclear warhead 'Hwasan-31' in March last year. Intelligence agencies assess that North Korea's nuclear warhead miniaturization technology has already reached a considerable level.
'Nuclear Show of Force' Ahead of U.S. Election... Support for Trump?
North Korea's disclosure of its uranium enrichment facility came with less than two months remaining before the U.S. presidential election. Former President Donald Trump recently emphasized his negotiations with Chairman Kim during a TV debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, "North Korea fears me." This was intended to highlight that under the Biden administration, North Korea has broken its moratorium and continued ballistic missile provocations.
The following day (the 12th), North Korea responded with a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launch as if waiting for the moment. North Korea had refrained from military provocations for over two months since early July. Then, within just one day, it revealed the uranium enrichment facility. This has led to speculation that North Korea is beginning to exert its influence through a nuclear show of force. It is interpreted as a move to raise its bargaining chip in future negotiations with the U.S.
Meanwhile, the missile North Korea launched near Pyongyang the previous day was identified as a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher (MRL). North Korea stated, "(Chairman Kim) observed the test firing to verify the performance of the new 600mm multiple rocket launcher vehicle." This missile flew approximately 360 kilometers before landing in the East Sea. If the flight distance was intentional, analysts suggest it was a threat aimed at the Gunsan Air Base or the Gyeryongdae headquarters, where the Army, Navy, and Air Force commands are located.
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