Government Criticizes North Korea's Kim Jong Un for "Challenge to International Nonproliferation Regime" with Inspection of New Nuclear Facility

The government criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's inspection of a new nuclear material production plant on June 4, stating, "North Korea's nuclear activities are a clear violation of multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and constitute a challenge to international peace, security, and the non-proliferation regime."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was reported by the Korean Central News Agency to be inspecting the newly operational nuclear material production plant alongside Choe Sungnam, Vice Minister of the Military Industry Department, through the centrifuge area on June 3. Kim was accompanied by Kang Kyongho, Deputy Director of the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute. Photo by Yonhap News Agency, June 4, 2026.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said on the same day, "Our government is closely monitoring North Korea's nuclear facilities and nuclear activities in close coordination with our allies." The official further emphasized, "Our government remains committed to the goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and will continue our efforts to achieve tangible progress in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through close cooperation with the international community."

Previously, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had given on-site guidance at the newly operational nuclear material production plant the day before. However, the specific location of the facility was not disclosed. Currently, three sites are known to house North Korean uranium enrichment facilities: Yongbyon in North Pyongan Province, Kangson in Nampo, and Guseong in North Pyongan Province. The latest report suggests the possibility that a uranium enrichment facility may exist in a "fourth location" as well.

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