BEIJING - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the strengthening of the country's nuclear forces at an "exponential rate" as he inspected a newly operating nuclear materials production facility, state media reported Thursday.
A photo released at the same time suggested the facility may be used to enrich uranium. It is unclear where the facility is located.
During his visit to the facility on Wednesday, Kim was informed of the facility's long-term production plan and said the production capacity of the weapons-grade nuclear materials had more than doubled during the past five years, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
He was quoted by KCNA as saying it is the country's duty "to further expand and strengthen the state nuclear forces, the pivot in implementing the strategy to deter a war and fight a war, and thoroughly exercise the position of a nuclear weapons state."
Kim vowed earlier this year to maintain North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state and said South Korea had been designated as the "most hostile" nation, according to KCNA.
