IAEA Reports Continued Uranium Enrichment by North Korea at Two Sites
The IAEA has indicated that North Korea is continuing uranium enrichment at the Kangson and Yongbyon sites, breaching UN Security Council resolutions. Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director-General, stated that the operational activities at these facilities pose significant concerns for international security. The agency calls upon North Korea to comply with its obligations and facilitate inspections.
Rafael Grossi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reported on Monday that North Korea is actively continuing its uranium enrichment activities at two separate facilities. He emphasized that this development constitutes a significant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding nuclear proliferation. Grossi’s statements were made during his opening remarks at the agency’s Board of Governors meeting held in Vienna, Austria.
The IAEA chief highlighted that both the Kangson plant, located near Pyongyang, and the Yongbyon facility, situated north of the capital, are showing signs of ongoing enrichment operations. Notably, he mentioned indications of activity at the light water reactor in Yongbyon and observed expansions to its supporting infrastructure. These developments suggest that North Korea is reinforcing its commitment to nuclear capabilities despite external pressures for denuclearization from Seoul and Washington.
Grossi addressed the resumption of operations at the 5-megawatt reactor at the Yongbyon complex, which had a shutdown period of approximately 60 days. He stated that this halt was consistent with refueling and the initiation of a new operational cycle. Furthermore, preparations for a new reprocessing campaign have been identified, indicated by the functioning of the steam plant linked to the Radiochemical Laboratory responsible for plutonium production.
Supporting this evaluation, the IAEA observed recent imagery released by North Korean state media, which depicted Kim Jong-un visiting nuclear sites, including the material production base and the Nuclear Weapons Institute. Grossi stated, “The depicted centrifuge cascades and infrastructure are consistent with the layout of a centrifuge enrichment facility and with the structure of the Yongbyon Uranium Enrichment Plant.”
Overall, Grossi called for immediate compliance from North Korea with its responsibilities under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and urged the nation to work collaboratively with the IAEA to resolve ongoing issues, especially given the lack of agency inspector presence in recent years. He reiterated, “The agency continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear program,” showing the IAEA’s commitment to monitoring the situation closely.
In summary, the IAEA has confirmed that North Korea is persisting with uranium enrichment at the Kangson and Yongbyon facilities, which raises significant concerns regarding compliance with international agreements. The observations of operational reactors and infrastructure expansions highlight the regime’s disregard for denuclearization efforts. It is crucial for North Korea to adhere to its commitments under the UN Security Council resolutions and allow IAEA inspections to ensure accountability in nuclear activities.
Original Source: koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
