North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a new factory producing nuclear weapons materials and announced plans to accelerate the country’s nuclear expansion. According to state news agency KCNA, Kim said North Korea’s production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear materials has more than doubled in the past five years. The new facility is expected to further strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrence.

Analysts noted that after the failure of denuclearization talks with the United States, North Korea intensified its nuclear development, particularly following three summits during Donald Trump’s first presidential term that ended without agreement. The U.S. Congressional Research Service reported in March that North Korea possesses enough material for about 90 nuclear warheads, with roughly 50 already assembled. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed at least two active uranium enrichment sites in Yongbyon and Kangson, while monitoring construction of another facility similar to Kangson’s.

It remains unclear whether the site Kim visited is the new Yongbyon facility or a separate undisclosed location. Experts said the new plant signals North Korea’s transition from limited research to mass production and deployment of nuclear weapons.