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North Korea boosting ability to make nuclear arms: UN watchdog
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Conflict & Security

North Korea boosting ability to make nuclear arms: UN watchdog

From Dawn · (1d ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • North Korea is significantly increasing its ability to produce nuclear weapons, according to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog.
  • The IAEA chief noted increased operations at multiple facilities, including the Yongbyon reactor and a new enrichment facility, suggesting a growing arsenal.
  • Despite UN sanctions, North Korea continues to advance its nuclear program, having cut off IAEA inspectors in 2009.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded a grave alarm regarding North Korea's escalating nuclear capabilities. Rafael Grossi, the agency's chief, stated during a visit to Seoul that the isolated nation is demonstrating a "very serious increase" in its capacity to manufacture atomic weapons. This assessment is based on observed enhancements in operations at key sites, including the Yongbyon nuclear complex and a newly identified enrichment facility.

In our periodic assessments, we have been able to confirm that there’s a rapid increase in the operations

— Rafael GrossiDescribing the observed activity at the Yongbyon reactor.

Grossi detailed that the IAEA has confirmed a "rapid increase in the operations" at the Yongbyon reactor, its reprocessing unit, and a light-water reactor. The activation of additional facilities further supports the conclusion that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is significantly boosting its nuclear weapons production. The agency estimates North Korea could possess "a few dozen warheads."

All that points to a very serious increase in the capabilities of (the) Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the area of nuclear weapons production, which is estimated at a few dozen warheads

— Rafael GrossiSummarizing the IAEA's findings on North Korea's nuclear capabilities.

Despite being subjected to numerous UN sanctions for its prohibited weapons programs, Pyongyang has consistently refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The country has also restricted access for IAEA inspectors since 2009. The IAEA's findings highlight a concerning trend of advancement, particularly with the construction of a new facility that appears similar to existing enrichment sites, suggesting a substantial increase in enrichment capacity.

we consider, looking at external features of the facility, that there will be significant increase in the enrichment capacity of the DPRK

— Rafael GrossiAssessing the potential impact of a new, unverified facility.

While Grossi noted that the IAEA has not observed any specific evidence of Russian assistance in North Korea's nuclear development, the report comes amid broader geopolitical discussions. Observers suggest that North Korea may be receiving military technology from Moscow in exchange for providing troops and artillery shells for Russia's war in Ukraine. This complex geopolitical backdrop adds another layer of concern to the DPRK's growing nuclear prowess.

we have not seen anything in particular in that regard

— Rafael GrossiResponding to a question about potential Russian assistance to North Korea's nuclear program.
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Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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