Analysts in Seoul have expressed growing concern that both political parties competing for the presidency in the U.S. may shift away from the long-standing goal of denuclearizing Pyongyang.

A strong military presence is needed to face “the various threats posed by the United States and its followers,” the North Korean leader said in a speech to mark the country’s founding anniversary.

North Korea provided a rare glimpse Friday of a secretive uranium-enrichment facility where it produces material for its nuclear weapons program when it released several images of its leader Kim Jong Un touring the site.