Speaking during a visit to a newly commissioned nuclear-material production facility, Kim said North Korea's capacity to produce weapons-grade nuclear material had more than doubled over the past five years and should continue to increase rapidly, according to the state news agency KCNA.
North Korea has been subject to UN sanctions over its nuclear weapons program for roughly two decades. Pyongyang says its nuclear arsenal is necessary to defend the country against external threats.
The program is viewed by the United States, South Korea and Japan as a direct threat to regional and international security.