North Korea has built a new two-storey uranium enrichment facility at its Yongbyon nuclear complex, raising fresh concerns over the expansion of its nuclear programme.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said the development was a cause for “serious concern”.
The facility is reportedly capable of housing up to 28 centrifuge cascades, which are used to enrich uranium for nuclear purposes. The IAEA also reported that North Korea has begun operating an expanded annex at another uranium enrichment site in Kangson, near the capital, Pyongyang. The agency said the findings point to the continued expansion of North Korea’s nuclear infrastructure. It has no inspectors in the country after Pyongyang expelled its personnel in 2009. It now relies heavily on satellite imagery to monitor developments.
“The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable,” Grossi said.
The IAEA first referred to the new Yongbyon building in June, although Grossi had raised the possibility earlier this year.
The agency said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a “newly inaugurated nuclear materials production factory” on June 3. The facility was identified as part of the Yongbyon enrichment complex. During the visit, Kim praised what he described as a “greatly expanded production capacity”. He said the expansion would create the possibility of carrying out larger plans.
Experts have warned that the known facilities may represent only part of North Korea’s nuclear infrastructure. Edward Howell, a lecturer at the University of Oxford, told the BBC that some facilities remain concealed and difficult to target. He proceeded by citing Kangson as one example of a site outside Yongbyon.
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