North Korea just gave the world a rare glimpse into where it makes weapons-grade uranium for its nukes in a blunt signal to foes

In the photos, Kim, along with Jong Sung Mu, first deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and other officials can be seen touring the facility where weapons-grade uranium is made.

The capabilities present in the sterile facility showcase the largely isolated nation’s nuclear weapons material production.

North Korea has long made its nuclear program a top priority and, despite restrictive sanctions, has shown continued progress in the continued development of nuclear weapons.

The US and its allies and partners have long worked to denuclearize North Korea, reaching a watermark moment with the Trump administration’s Hanoi summit in 2019. Talks have been unsuccessful. Kim’s publicized visit to a uranium enrichment facility, including the rare photos, shows his continued focus on the nuclear program despite those efforts.

Though North Korea’s pursuit of missile technology and nuclear weapons have made it a pariah state, largely isolated in global affairs, it is not totally alone.

It has long had relations with China. And last fall, Kim’s high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin about an arms deal signaled the two nations would work together — with Kim offering ammunition and other weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. It’s unclear exactly what Russia is offering in return, but North Korea could receive food, fuel, and possibly even advanced military technologies.

The two countries reaffirmed their cooperation earlier this year with a mutual defense pact, which indicated either nation would come to the support of the other should they be attacked.

Earlier this year, a top Korea watcher said that North Korea has likely found itself “sitting pretty” amid its new partnership with Russia and connections with China.