Kim Jong Un Wants More Nukes, His Sister Says There's No Turning Back: Inside North Korea's Arsenal

Published 8 June 2026 · sports

Kim Jong Un Wants More Nukes, His Sister Says There's No Turning Back: Inside North Korea's Arsenal Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 01:57

Kim Jong Un Wants More Nukes, His Sister Says There's No Turning Back: Inside North Korea's Arsenal Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 01:57 IST How powerful is North Korea's nuclear programme and what is currently known about its arsenal? News18 explains North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (Image: Reuters) North Korea has once again signalled that it has no intention of abandoning its nuclear weapons programme. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, declared that the country’s status as a nuclear power was “absolutely nonnegotiable". Her remarks came days after North Korea unveiled a new uranium enrichment facility and as Kim called for an “exponential" expansion of the country’s nuclear arsenal. So, how powerful is North Korea’s nuclear programme and what is currently known about its arsenal?

When Did North Korea Become A Nuclear Power? North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006, becoming the first country to test a nuclear weapon in the 21st century. Since then, it has carried out six known nuclear tests, with the most recent taking place in 2017. That test was believed to be significantly more powerful than previous ones and was widely viewed as a major milestone in the country’s weapons programme. In 2023, North Korea formally enshrined its status as a nuclear weapons state in its constitution, effectively ruling out denuclearisation as a policy objective. How Many Nuclear Weapons Does North Korea Have? The exact size of North Korea’s nuclear stockpile remains one of the world’s most closely guarded secrets. However, estimates from independent arms-control experts suggest Pyongyang may possess enough fissile material to build between 50 and 90 nuclear warheads, with some assessments placing the number of assembled weapons in the range of 30 to 60.

Because North Korea does not disclose details about its programme, these figures remain estimates rather than confirmed numbers. What Is The New Uranium Facility? Earlier this week, North Korean state media published images of Kim Jong Un visiting a uranium enrichment facility. Uranium enrichment is a crucial step in producing weapons-grade material for nuclear bombs. The facility’s public unveiling is being interpreted as a political message to both Washington and Beijing, signalling that Pyongyang intends to strengthen its negotiating position rather than scale back its programme. How Advanced Are North Korea’s Missiles? Over the past decade, North Korea has invested heavily in missile technology. It has tested a range of ballistic missiles, including short-range, medium-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The most concerning systems for the United States are ICBMs such as the Hwasong-17 and Hwasong-18, which North Korea claims are capable of reaching the US mainland.