Rafael Grossi expresses serious concern over North Korea's new uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that North Korea has constructed a new two-storey uranium enrichment facility at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex. This new building is capable of housing up to 28 centrifuge cascades used to enrich uranium. The agency identified the facility through satellite imagery and state media photographs from a visit by Kim Jong Un in June. Additionally, the IAEA reported that operations began in January at an expanded annex of a uranium enrichment facility in Kangson, near the capital Pyongyang. These developments indicate a steady expansion of the North's sanctioned nuclear infrastructure. Rafael Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, stated that the ongoing operation of these facilities and the expansion of weapons-grade nuclear material production is a cause for serious concern. He noted that the continuation of the North's nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea has rejected the agency's authority, stating that its status as a nuclear weapons state is irreversible and the IAEA has no legal right to interfere in its internal affairs.