The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog has warned that North Korea is making “very serious” progress in its ability to produce more nuclear weapons, with a rapid rise in activity at its main nuclear complex. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed reports of increased work at the Yongbyon facility during a visit to Seoul on Wednesday.
Grossi said activity had intensified at Yongbyon's 5MW reactor, reprocessing unit, light water reactor and other facilities. North Korea is believed to have assembled about 50 nuclear warheads, though some experts question its ability to miniaturise them for mounting on long-range ballistic missiles. The regime has conducted nuclear tests since 2006 and now possesses intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US mainland.
Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea has accelerated its nuclear programme in defiance of UN sanctions, aiming to reduce the risk of regime change by the US. A US thinktank, Beyond Parallel at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, reported that satellite imagery indicates a new building intended for uranium enrichment at Yongbyon is nearing operational readiness. The facility, along with another at Kangson near Pyongyang, has not been declared to international nuclear authorities.
The IAEA has described North Korea's nuclear programme as a “clear violation” of UN Security Council resolutions. Diplomatic efforts to curb the programme have stalled after failed summits between Kim and former US President Donald Trump, and worsening ties between Pyongyang and Seoul. South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung warned in January that North Korea could produce enough material for 10 to 20 nuclear weapons annually, posing a global threat if excess weapons are exported.
