N Korea has built two-storey uranium enrichment facility, says watchdog

What the report says

The International Atomic Energy Agency says North Korea has built a new two-storey uranium enrichment building at its Yongbyon nuclear complex, describing the development as a matter of serious concern. BBC World News reports that the facility could contain up to 28 centrifuge cascades, the equipment used to enrich uranium for nuclear fuel or weapons-related purposes. The watchdog also said it has detected signs that an expanded annex at another enrichment site is now operating.

Because the IAEA has had no inspectors in North Korea since 2009, it relies largely on satellite imagery and other remote assessment tools. In the report cited by BBC World News, the agency said the continued growth of the country’s nuclear programme breaches relevant UN Security Council resolutions. IAEA director Rafael Grossi said the expansion was deeply regrettable.

The BBC account says North Korea’s nuclear work appears to be broadening beyond Yongbyon, with indications of activity at Kangson, near Pyongyang, and with an annex there first seen in 2024. The report adds that Kim Jong Un has promoted larger nuclear production capacity, while South Korea has recently suggested talks with Pyongyang could include ways to slow the program.

More broadly, the article places the latest findings in the context of North Korea’s long-running weapons drive, including repeated missile launches and six nuclear tests to date, the last in 2017.