North Korea goes even more nuclear

About this episode

The episode discusses North Korea's plans to expand its nuclear arsenal and the implications of Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to expand the country's nuclear arsenal at ‘an exponential rate’, according to state media reports. His announcement comes as China’s president, Xi Jinping, is making his first visit to Pyongyang this week since 2019 – the same year Donald Trump met Kim Jong Un several times for failed talks on denuclearisation. We speak to the BBC’s Celia Hatton about why China might now be trying to keep North Korea in check. Producers: Xandra Ellin, Sam Chantarasak and Aron Keller Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Studio manager: Mike Regaard Digital producer: Tom Bage Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the fifth session of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 23, 2026. Credit: KCNA/Reuters Clip: Team America: World Police/Trey Parker/Scott Rudkin/Trey Parker/Matt Stone

People in this episode

Guest: Celia Hatton

Topics covered

• North Korea
• nuclear arsenal
• China
• diplomacy
• international relations

Keywords

• North Korea
• Kim Jong Un
• nuclear weapons
• China
• Xi Jinping
• diplomacy
• denuclearisation
• BBC

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC, Workers' Party of Korea

Books & works: Team America: World Police

Places: North Korea, China

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