North Korea’s nuclear capability accelerates: IAEA

लगानी न्यूज

२ बैशाख २०८३, बुधबार १६:२८April 15, 2026

. The head of the International Nuclear Watchdog has warned that North Korea’s nuclear weapons production capacity is increasing “very seriously”. Recent inspections and evaluations have shown that the country’s enrichment and recycling activities are growing rapidly.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi told a news conference in Seoul on Wednesday that North Korea was “actively expanding” key structures for its nuclear weapons development.TAG_OPEN_div_26 According to him, this change indicates that the country’s strategic capability is increasing significantly.

South Korea’TAG_OPEN_div_24 s diplomatic isolation is believed to be operating a number of uranium enrichment facilities, which is a critical stage in the development of nuclear weapons, according to South Korea’s intelligence agencies. Among them is the Yongbyon nuclear site, which Pyongyang claimed had been deactivated after previous talks but was reactivated in 2021.

According to Grossi, the IAEA confirmed a sharp increase in operation at the Yongbyon reactor during its periodic assessment.TAG_OPEN_div_22 In addition, activity at the reprocessing unit and light water reactor has increased, while other related structures are also active.

“All of these developments indicate a very serious increase in North Korea’s nuclear weapons production capability, estimated at several dozen warheads,” he said.TAG_OPEN_div_20 ”

North Korea has been expanding its banned nuclear program since its first nuclear test in 2006.TAG_OPEN_div_18 Despite the UN sanctions, Pyongyang has reiterated its insistence that it will never give up its nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, when asked about Russia’s possible role in North Korea’s nuclear development, Grossi said the IAEA had not yet seen any concrete evidence of that.TAG_OPEN_div_16

However, analysts say North Korea has sent military and artillery aid to support Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and is suspected to be receiving military technical assistance from Moscow in return.TAG_OPEN_div_14 Against this backdrop, North Korea’s nuclear program appears to have become a more sensitive international issue.