The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned on Wednesday that North Korea is showing a serious increase in its ability to produce atomic weapons.
Speaking in Seoul, Rafael Grossi told reporters that the agency has confirmed a rapid increase in operations at the Yongbyon nuclear reactor, according to aljazeera.com.
The nuclear watchdog chief also observed rising activity at Yongbyon’s reprocessing unit and light-water reactor, along with the activation of other facilities.
“All that points to a very serious increase in the capabilities of [the] DPRK in the area of nuclear weapons production, which is estimated at a few dozen warheads,” Grossi said.
New enrichment facilities
The agency has identified the construction of a new facility that resembles the existing enrichment site at Yongbyon, the report stated.
While Grossi noted it is difficult to calculate exact production increases without on-site access, he said external features suggest a significant increase in the country's enrichment capacity.
South Korea’s intelligence agency previously reported that Pyongyang operates multiple uranium enrichment sites, including the Yongbyon facility which was reactivated in 2021.
North Korea has maintained its nuclear program despite United Nations sanctions and has denied IAEA inspectors access to its sites since 2009.
When asked if Russia is providing assistance to North Korea’s nuclear program, Grossi stated the IAEA has not seen anything specific to confirm such claims.
North Korea has recently provided troops and artillery to Russia for use in the invasion of Ukraine, leading observers to suggest a reciprocal exchange of military technology.