N.Korea Releases First Images of Uranium Enrichment Facility

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Facts

• North Korea's state media showed images of a uranium enrichment facility for the first time on Friday, with leader Kim Jong Un inspecting rows of centrifuges and a control room at the base.^[1][2][3]
• The release comes as Kim said this week that the number of the nation's nuclear weapons will be 'exponentially' increased, but it's unclear when his visit took place. The location of the now-revealed top-secret weapons-grade uranium plant remains undisclosed.^[3][4]
• North Korea is believed to operate multiple plants for turning the natural radioactive element uranium into nuclear fuel, including in Kangson and Yongbyon, where continued activities have been observed.^[5][6][7]
• Shown to a group of foreign scientists and academics in 2010, a facility in Yongbyon reportedly had about 2K centrifuges at the time of the tour — roughly what is needed to produce enough uranium for two bombs every year.^[5][6][7]
• North Korea, whose nuclear program is banned under multiple UN Security Council resolutions, is estimated to possess the fissile material for up to 90 nuclear weapons with some 50 warheads assembled.^[5][8]
• This report also coincides with a meeting between Kim and the head of Russia's Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, in Pyongyang on Friday to discuss bilateral and international issues, as their ties have been strengthening.^[3][4][9]

Sources: ^[1]KCNA Watch, ^[2]Korea Herald, ^[3]CNN, ^[4]Wsj, ^[5]Reuters, ^[6]Associated Press, ^[7]New York Times, ^[8]NBC and ^[9]NK News.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by AntiWar. Though Kim may seem like an irrational actor, he's simply using the only leverage he has in dealing with South Korea and the US. His nuclear ambitions are designed to seek political gains and sanctions relief after successive American administrations have derailed diplomatic routes to denuclearization.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Hudson. As much as North Korea wishes to flex its military potential and engage in bombastic rhetoric, it would be best for Pyongyang not to push this too far. The North is well known to suffer extreme economic hardship, and it's near-impossible for them to keep masking vulnerabilities with dangerous propaganda and military activity.

Predictions