North Korea builds new facility to produce material for nuclear weapons
Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader (photo: Getty Images)
North Korea has built a new uranium enrichment facility at its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon. According to preliminary estimates, the building could house up to 28 cascades of centrifuges, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports.
The IAEA said that it relied on satellite imagery and open-source materials, including photos published by North Korean state media. It is through this data that the agency monitors Pyongyang's nuclear activities.
It is important to understand that the agency's inspectors have not worked in North Korea since 2009.
Available data indicate that North Korea's nuclear infrastructure continues to steadily expand at several locations simultaneously.
IAEA experts identified the new two-story building in Yongbyon as a second uranium enrichment facility. To do so, they compared satellite images taken during construction with photographs from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit in June.
Images released during the visit show that cascades of gas centrifuges have been installed on both floors of the main building. According to the IAEA's assessment, the facility could accommodate up to 28 such cascades.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi issued an official statement on the matter.
"The continuation and further development of the DPRK's nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable," he stressed.
It is also important to note that the development of North Korea's nuclear programme violates UN Security Council resolutions.
Earlier, Kim Jong Un commissioned another nuclear destroyer.
Several months ago, North Korea also tested a new destroyer equipped with strategic cruise missiles.
