Kim Jong Un announced a dramatic escalation in North Korea's nuclear program, vowing an 'exponential' increase in military nuclear capabilities.
During a visit to a new nuclear material production facility, Kim confirmed an ambitious plan to rapidly expand the country's nuclear forces, according to state media reports.
Weapons-grade nuclear material production has more than doubled over the past five years.
Pyongyang withdrew from the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1993 and has conducted six nuclear tests. The United Nations has imposed multiple resolutions, but North Korea insists its nuclear path is irreversible.