![\"'Very](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130280802,imgsize-1150985,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/untitled-design-2026-04-15t154846.jpg\" "\\"<p>File")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNorth Korea is showing a \u201cvery serious increase\u201d in its ability to produce nuclear weapons, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said, pointing to heightened activity at key facilities.IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, speaking during a visit to Seoul on Wednesday, said monitoring indicates a \u201crapid increase in the operations\u201d at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, a central hub of Pyongyang\u2019s atomic programme.\u201cIn our periodic assessments, we have been able to confirm that there’s a rapid increase in the operations\u201d of the reactor at Yongbyon, Grossi said, warning that all signs point to an expansion in North Korea\u2019s weapons production capability. <\/p>\n North Korea Planning South Invasion? Kim Jong Un Oversees Missile, Tank & Special Forces Drill<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n According to news AFP, the UN watchdog has observed increased activity not only at the five-megawatt reactor but also at Yongbyon\u2019s reprocessing unit and light-water reactor. Grossi added that the activation of additional facilities further underlines the scale of expansion.\u201cAll that points to a very serious increase in the capabilities of (the) DPRK in the area of nuclear weapons production,\u201d he said, noting that the programme is now estimated at \u201ca few dozen warheads.\u201dThe agency has detected the construction of a new uranium enrichment facility similar to existing ones, suggesting a significant boost in production capacity. Satellite imagery cited by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies supports this assessment, indicating the likely completion of a plant capable of producing weapons-grade material.<\/p>\n Enriching uranium offers North Korea an alternative and potentially more effective route to weapons-grade material, alongside plutonium reprocessing, experts say, according to Reuters.Grossi noted that while direct inspection is not possible\u2014since Pyongyang expelled IAEA inspectors in 2009\u2014external analysis of facilities indicates \u201ca significant increase in the enrichment capacity\u201d of the country.Despite concerns over growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, Grossi said the agency has not observed \u201canything in particular\u201d suggesting Russian assistance in North Korea\u2019s nuclear weapons programme.North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, remains under heavy UN sanctions and has repeatedly stated it will not give up its nuclear arsenal, raising ongoing concerns about regional security and global nuclear proliferation.<\/div>\n\nRising activity at Yongbyon raises alarm<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Enrichment push and global concerns<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n