North Korea Expands Nuclear Arsenal Fivefold, Declares Status Irreversible

North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible and its policy of expanding nuclear forces for self-defense will be carried out unconditionally, Kim Yo Jong stated Sunday. S. ” The statement followed Kim Jong Un’s June 3 visit to a newly inaugurated nuclear materials production factory.

During that visit, Kim Jong Un said North Korea would bolster its nuclear forces at an exponential rate. North Korean state media reported that the country will increase its nuclear forces five times under a five-year plan period. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit North Korea on June 8 for talks with Kim Jong Un.

It will be Xi’s first visit in seven years. North Korea has focused on enlarging its nuclear arsenal since diplomacy between Kim Jong Un and then-President Trump collapsed in 2019. The New York Post reported that North Korea has sent troops and conventional weapons to Russia to support its war efforts against Ukraine and has received economic and other assistance from Russia in return.

U.S. officials have not commented publicly on Kim Yo Jong’s latest statement.