Is North Korea's Leader Kim Jong-un Committed to Nuclear Security?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- North Korea emphasizes nuclear security as a top priority.
- Kim Jong-un asserts that nuclear capabilities are essential for national sovereignty.
- The regime is reportedly enhancing its nuclear arsenal.
- Dialogue with the U.S. is contingent upon the lifting of denuclearization demands.
- Experts estimate North Korea's enriched uranium stockpile could be around 2,000 kilograms.
Seoul, Sep 27 (NationPress) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reiterated his nation's unchanging position on securing safety through its nuclear capabilities, emphasizing consistent preparations for nuclear counteraction as a critical top-priority task, according to state media reports on Saturday.
During a meeting on Friday with nuclear scientists and technicians, Kim presided over a significant consultative gathering regarding the production of nuclear materials and weapons, as reported by the Yonhap news agency, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
This announcement follows the commitment from the administration of US President Donald Trump to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
At the recent meeting, Kim emphasized that consistent preparations to enhance the country's nuclear posture are an essential top-priority task, deeming it an unchangeable duty.
He stated, "The powerful deterrent, namely, the logic of peacekeeping and security by force with nuclear forces as its backbone, is the invariable stand of the DPRK," with DPRK being the abbreviation for North Korea's official title, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Moreover, Kim urged for the reinforcement of the nuclear shield and sword to effectively safeguard the country's sovereignty.
He expressed contentment that the main links in significantly advancing the country’s nuclear capability were effectively addressed as the nuclear weapons institute and officials from the nuclear-material production sector completed two tasks related to a new important nuclear strategy, according to the KCNA.
No further details were provided regarding these tasks.
The meeting included attendance from Hong Sung-mu, a prominent senior party official believed to be at the helm of North Korea's nuclear initiative.
In a recent address during a pivotal parliamentary meeting, Kim indicated that Pyongyang is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, provided Washington rescinds its demand for North Korea's denuclearization.
However, he made it clear that North Korea would never relinquish its nuclear arsenal, asserting that the North's "irreversible" status as a nuclear power is embedded in the nation's constitution.
According to assessments by experts, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young mentioned on Thursday that North Korea is estimated to hold up to 2,000 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. He also noted that the North is thought to operate uranium centrifuges at four different sites to amass nuclear materials.