IAEA Says North Korea Is Rapidly Expanding Its Nuclear Weapons Production Capacity

Overview

• Rafael Grossi, speaking in Seoul on Wednesday, warned of a very worrying jump in North Korea’s ability to make nuclear weapons.
• He said Yongbyon shows a rapid rise in activity with more runs at its reprocessing unit and its light‑water reactor.
• The agency also observed other facilities at the site being brought into service, signaling a broader push to expand output.
• The IAEA said Pyongyang is running several uranium‑enrichment plants and pointed to signs of a new one being built, matching South Korean intelligence.
• North Korea remains under UN sanctions and has barred IAEA inspectors since 2009, while Kim Jong Un insists the country will not give up its nuclear status.