The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned that North Korea is making 'very serious' progress in its ability to produce more nuclear weapons, with a rapid increase in activity at its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), made the comments during a visit to Seoul on Wednesday, confirming reports of heightened operations at the site's 5MW reactor, reprocessing unit, and light water reactor.
North Korea is believed to have assembled around 50 nuclear warheads, though some experts question its claims of being able to miniaturise them for attachment to long-range ballistic missiles. Grossi stated that the country is thought to possess several dozen warheads. Since its first nuclear test in 2006, Pyongyang has developed a workable nuclear capability, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that could potentially reach the US mainland.
Under leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea has accelerated its nuclear weapons programme in defiance of UN sanctions, aiming to reduce the likelihood of regime change by the US. A US thinktank, Beyond Parallel at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, reported this week 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, and its operation 'would significantly increase the number of nuclear weapons North Korea could possess,' the thinktank said.
Grossi called North Korea's nuclear programme a 'clear violation' of UN Security Council resolutions and reaffirmed the IAEA's readiness to verify the programme. While North Korea has not conducted a nuclear test since 2017, it has continued to advance its missile technology and increase its weapons stockpile, in line with Kim's vow last August for a 'rapid expansion of nuclearisation'. 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.
Earlier this year, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned that North Korea is producing enough material to build 10 to 20 nuclear weapons annually, alongside improving its long-range ballistic missile technology. He cautioned that once Pyongyang secures the arsenal it believes necessary for regime survival, excess weapons could be exported, posing a global danger. North Korea has dismissed Lee's attempts to restart cross-border dialogue.
