Kim Jong-un's Nuclear Facility Tour Sparks Global Concerns

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was shown inspecting a uranium enrichment facility. State media released images of centrifuges for bomb fuel production. Kim called for more centrifuges to boost nuclear arsenal, defying UN bans. North Korea's nuclear program remains highly secretive and tensions with South Korea persist.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been pictured inspecting a uranium enrichment facility, according to state media reports. Images released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) show Kim reviewing centrifuges used to produce fuel for nuclear weapons. South Korean media, citing Yonhap, also published these photos.

Kim has reportedly urged an increase in the number of centrifuges to enhance the country's nuclear weapons capabilities for self-defense. This expansion comes despite North Korea's nuclear program being banned under multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, has consistently kept details of its uranium enrichment facilities under wraps. The KCNA reported that Kim toured the control room of the enrichment base and expressed satisfaction with the facility's dynamic production of nuclear materials, as noted by Yonhap.

A uranium enrichment facility plays a crucial role in producing highly enriched uranium, a key element for nuclear warheads. Intelligence agencies from South Korea and the US believe that North Korea operates these facilities at the Kangson nuclear complex near Pyongyang and the Yongbyon nuclear site. Relations between North and South Korea remain tense.

On September 12, North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the waters east of the Korean peninsula. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff are analyzing the incident. Recently, North Korea announced the deployment of 250 ballistic missile launchers to its southern border.

In past instances, North Korea has resorted to sending balloons filled with trash to South Korea. Last month, Kim Jong-un pushed for the development of more 'suicide drones' to bolster war readiness. Yonhap reported that Kim had overseen a test of various drones on August 24.

(With inputs from agencies.)