North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the “exponential” expansion of his country’s nuclear arsenal, the development of a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile and the launch of its first spy satellite, state media reported on Sunday. The announcement came after he entered 2023 with another weapons firing following a record number of testing activities last year.
Mr Kim’s moves are in line with the broad direction of his nuclear weapons development programme as he has repeatedly vowed to boost both the quality and quantity of his arsenal to cope with what he calls US hostility. Some experts say his push to produce more nuclear arms and new weapons systems reflects his hopes of solidifying his future negotiating power as he heads into prolonged tensions with the US and its allies.
“They are now keen on isolating and stifling (North Korea), unprecedented in human history,” Mr Kim said at a recent ruling party meeting, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. "The prevailing situation calls for making redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up the military muscle.”
