Kim Jong Un vows to ‘exponentially’ increase nuclear warheads

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to dramatically boost production of nuclear warheads and to build a new long-range missile, according to year-end comments published by state media Sunday.

In an address at a major ruling party meeting a day earlier, Kim urged an all-out effort to develop “overwhelming military power” to counter what he said were hostile moves by the United States and its allies, according to a summary published by the Korean Central News Agency.

South Korea, Kim said, is a “clear enemy,” raising the need for North Korea to “exponentially” increase production of nuclear warheads, including tactical nukes.

Outside experts estimate that North Korea already has enough fissile material to build about 50 nuclear weapons, as well as a growing number of missiles that could be capable of carrying such warheads.

In his speech Saturday, Kim called for the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile with “rapid nuclear counterattack capability” – likely a reference to a solid-fueled ICBM that could be launched much more quickly than a liquid-fueled missile, experts said.

North Korea will also launch its first spy satellite soon, Kim added.

(VOA)