Kim Jong Un justifies nuclear expansion by threat of 'fierce enemies'

On June 4, 2026, North Korea unveiled a new military nuclear fuel production facility. Kim Jong Un justified the expansion by tensions with the 'fiercest enemies,' targeting the United States and South Korea. According to KCNA, production of nuclear materials has more than doubled in five years, and Pyongyang is estimated to have about 50 deployable nuclear warheads, with fissile material for up to 90. UN sanctions have been ineffective since Russian and Chinese vetoes in 2022.