Seoul, South Korea. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said North Korea has made “very serious” advances in its ability to produce nuclear weapons, citing stepped-up activity at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and a probable new uranium enrichment facility.
Increased activity at Yongbyon
Grossi said the International Atomic Energy Agency had confirmed a rapid rise in activity at the 5-megawatt reactor, the reprocessing unit, a light water reactor and other facilities at the Yongbyon complex.
He said indicators such as operation of a light water reactor and activation of facilities beyond Yongbyon pointed to increased capabilities.
Enrichment capacity and new construction
Grossi said enriching uranium can provide an alternative path to acquiring weapons-grade material, in addition to reprocessing spent plutonium extracted from a nuclear reactor.
He said the IAEA had observed construction of a new facility similar to Yongbyon’s uranium enrichment halls, adding that analysis of external features showed a significant expansion of enrichment capacity.
Programme estimate and monitoring
Grossi said North Korea’s nuclear programme was estimated at a few dozen warheads.
He said the agency was monitoring a new building at Yongbyon with similarities to an enrichment facility at Kangson, another key nuclear site near the capital Pyongyang, as referenced in his address to the agency’s governors this month.
Satellite imagery cited
The U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said satellite imagery from April supported the IAEA’s assessment.
What questions do you have about the IAEA’s assessment of activity at North Korea’s nuclear sites?
