The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that North Korea is "alarmingly" expanding its nuclear weapons production capabilities after detecting expansion of a uranium enrichment plant in the Yongbyon area. Satellite images reveal a suspected facility appears fully constructed, while the IAEA monitors South Korea's planned nuclear-powered submarine project.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, revealed that North Korea has made "stunning" progress in nuclear weapons production, citing clear evidence of increased activity at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, including construction of a new building believed to be a uranium enrichment plant.
Grossi said during a press conference in Seoul that inspections found rapidly increasing activity at the 5-megawatt reactor, the spent fuel reprocessing unit, and a light-water reactor (LWR), all indicating enhanced capacity to produce weapons-grade nuclear material. It is currently estimated that North Korea possesses several dozen nuclear warheads.
This information aligns with a report from the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released in early April, which showed satellite images indicating that the new uranium enrichment plant, capable of producing weapon-grade material, appears to be completed. Additionally, the IAEA is monitoring a building in Yongbyon similar to a plant at Kangson, another significant nuclear site near Pyongyang.
However, Grossi noted that there is no evidence Russia has provided military nuclear technology to North Korea under a cooperation agreement signed last year. Preliminary information suggests the cooperation is limited to civilian nuclear matters only.
Meanwhile, the IAEA Director General called on the South Korean government to work closely with relevant agencies to prevent nuclear proliferation risks, following South Korea's plans to develop a nuclear-powered submarine—a challenge for monitoring the nuclear fuel used in maritime operations.
South Korea's submarine project has advanced significantly since President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump reached a joint security agreement in November last year, which included U.S. approval for South Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines to balance regional power.
,"Reuters