North Korea is experiencing a “significant escalation” in its capacity to produce nuclear weapons, according to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, who spoke during a visit to Seoul on Wednesday.
The reclusive state is thought to run several uranium enrichment facilities—an essential process for building nuclear warheads—South Korea’s intelligence agency has indicated. Among them is the site at Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, which Pyongyang once claimed to have shut down following diplomatic negotiations but is believed to have resumed operations in 2021.
Grossi stated that ongoing monitoring has revealed a sharp rise in activity at Yongbyon’s reactor. The IAEA has also detected increased operations at the site’s reprocessing plant and light-water reactor, along with signs that additional facilities may now be active.
He emphasized that these developments suggest a notable expansion in North Korea’s ability to produce nuclear weapons, with estimates placing its arsenal at several dozen warheads.
Since carrying out its first nuclear test in 2006, North Korea has faced extensive UN sanctions over its prohibited weapons programs. The country has consistently maintained that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal and expelled IAEA inspectors in 2009.
Grossi also noted the construction of a new installation resembling the uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon. However, he added that accurately determining production levels remains difficult without direct access to the site. Still, external observations indicate that enrichment capabilities are likely growing substantially.
When asked about possible involvement from Russia, Grossi said there was no clear evidence to suggest Moscow is directly supporting North Korea’s nuclear program. Nevertheless, analysts have pointed out that Pyongyang has provided military support—including troops and artillery—to Russia in its war in Ukraine, raising suspicions that technological assistance could be exchanged in return.