Kim Jong Un has been pictured visiting one of North Korea’s nuclear facilities as the isolated nation ramps up efforts to enhance its fighting capabilities.
The 41-year-old North Korean dictator appeared to have visited a uranium enrichment facility at an undisclosed location, with local reports claiming that the leader witnessed “amazing” results.
It comes as North Korea seemingly attempts to pile pressure on the United States almost six years after Donald Trump shook hands with Jong Un in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
According to state media, Kim’s latest visit to the nuclear facility formed parts of continuing efforts to enhance “the nuclear shield of the country.”
KCNA reported that the North Korean leader said: "This year is a crucial year, as it is an important watershed in which we should carry out the tasks in the important period in the course of implementing the line of bolstering up the nuclear forces."
Reports also cited “hostile forces” had intensified challenges, in an apparent reference to South Korea and the United States.
Although the returning US president and the reclusive North Korean dictator "fell in love,” as Trump claimed, amid an exchange of letters in his first administration, relations between the two nations have been frosty in the last four years.
The returning US leader has suggested he may reach out to Kim again and appeared to praise North Korea as he returned to the Oval Office.
“Now, he is a nuclear power,” Trump said in reference to Kim, “I think he’ll be happy to see I’m coming back.”
While Mr Trump appears open to reigniting discourse with the pariah state, the appetite might be different among even Trump loyalists.
Marco Rubio, who recently became Trump’s secretary of state, had previously called for a “very serious look at broader North Korean policies.”
It also looks like North Korean officials have so far remained silent, instead appearing to continue their focus on developing nuclear weapons.
Some analysts believe that Jong Un may consider an invitation to meet with Mr Trump in the future, but this time, the situation is a lot different.
Not only has the North Korean dictator continued to strengthen his military powers, but he has also forged a diplomatic relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
In late 2024, the two leaders finalised a deal to provide military assistance to each other if they were attacked and a number of North Korean troops have reportedly been sent to fight in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.
