North Korea's Kim Jong Un vows ‘exponential’ increase in nuclear forces

Key points

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed an "exponential" increase in nuclear military capabilities as state media reported that he visited a new atomic facility.
• The nuclear-armed country is believed to operate uranium enrichment facilities at three sites — Yongbyon, Kangson and Kusong.
• Kim on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) went to a "newly-inaugurated nuclear materials production factory", Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
• KCNA reported that Mr. Kim noted an "ambitious future plan designed to beef up our state's nuclear forces at an exponential rate".
• Rejecting pressure from the United States, North Korea insists that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal, describing its path as "irreversible".