World News
“Atomic Energy”: North Korea shows “dangerous increase” in nuclear weapons capability
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, warned on Wednesday that North Korea is showing a “very dangerous increase” in its nuclear weapons capabilities.
The diplomatically isolated nation is believed to be operating several uranium enrichment facilities, a significant step toward developing nuclear warheads, according to South Korea’s intelligence agency.
These facilities include one at the Yongbyon nuclear , which Pyongyang claimed to have dismantled after a round of talks, but which it later restarted in 2021.
The diplomatically isolated nation is believed to be operating several uranium enrichment facilities, a significant step toward developing nuclear warheads, according to South Korea’s intelligence agency.
These facilities include one at the Yongbyon nuclear , which Pyongyang claimed to have dismantled after a round of talks, but which it later restarted in 2021.
“In our regular assessments, we have been able to confirm a rapid increase in operations” at the Yongbyon nuclear reactor, Grossi told a news conference in Seoul.
He noted that the agency had also observed increased activity at the reprocessing unit and the light-water reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear site, as well as the operation of other facilities.
“All of this points to a very dangerous increase in the DPRK’s nuclear weapons production capabilities, estimated at several dozen warheads,” he added, using North Korea’s official name.
North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, is subject to a range of UN sanctions over its prohibited weapons programs.
However, it has stated that it will not give up its nuclear weapons.
He noted that the agency had also observed increased activity at the reprocessing unit and the light-water reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear site, as well as the operation of other facilities.
“All of this points to a very dangerous increase in the DPRK’s nuclear weapons production capabilities, estimated at several dozen warheads,” he added, using North Korea’s official name.
North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, is subject to a range of UN sanctions over its prohibited weapons programs.
However, it has stated that it will not give up its nuclear weapons.
Russia and North Korea
When asked whether Russia was helping North Korea develop its nuclear capabilities, Grossi said the UN agency had seen “nothing specific in this regard.”
North Korea has sent ground troops and artillery in support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while observers say Pyongyang is receiving military technology assistance from Moscow in return.
