North Korea releases rare photos of Kim at uranium facility

North Korea has revealed rare images of leader Kim Jong Un touring a uranium enrichment facility, a key site in the country’s nuclear weapons program. This public disclosure comes as North Korea pushes to expand its nuclear arsenal, ramping up concerns on the Korean peninsula and beyond.

Photographs released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Friday show Kim inspecting rows of centrifuges used for enriching uranium, a material critical for manufacturing nuclear warheads. While North Korea has not specified the location, experts suggest it could either be part of the notorious Yongbyon nuclear complex or an undisclosed facility. The timing of Kim’s visit remains unclear.

“[Mr. Kim] went round the control room of the uranium enrichment base to learn about the overall operation of the production lines,” KCNA reported, adding that Kim “felt strong” upon seeing the site.

The revelation follows Kim’s earlier pledge to “exponentially” boost the country’s nuclear capabilities, underscoring the North’s commitment to advancing its weapons program despite international opposition. South Korea, in particular, swiftly condemned North Korea’s plans, warning of “an overwhelming and strong response” should any nuclear provocations occur.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, believes the release of these images serves multiple purposes. “North Korea has disclosed the facility to boast of its nuclear development and signal that its weapons program is irreversible,” said Prof. Easley. He also noted that Kim’s regime might be flaunting diplomatic ties with Russia and China, signaling their continued support despite global sanctions.

Other analysts see the photos as a deliberate message aimed at international powers, especially the United States. Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said the timing could be a nod to the upcoming US presidential election. “It is also a message demanding other countries to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear state,” he told AFP.

As tensions rise, estimates suggest that North Korea could already possess around 50 nuclear weapons, with enough material to produce dozens more. Despite numerous UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea’s nuclear activities, the secretive state appears determined to bolster its nuclear arsenal—a move that is drawing sharp rebukes and raising fears of heightened conflict in the region.