Vienna: The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that North Korea is continuing to operate uranium enrichment facilities in Yongbyon and Kangson, expressing "serious concern" over these activities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi made these remarks during an introductory statement to the board of governors in Vienna, Austria. He emphasized that "The IAEA continues to monitor the nuclear program of the DPRK," using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea.
Grossi highlighted that the 5-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon likely remains operational in its seventh irradiation cycle. He reported that the operation of the Radiochemical Laboratory was observed between January and September 2025, with indications that irradiated fuel from the sixth cycle of the 5-megawatt reactor was likely reprocessed.
The IAEA chief mentioned that the ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at both Kangson and Yongbyon poses a serious concern. Kangson is located near Pyongyang, while Yongbyon, situated in North Pyongan Province, hosts North Korea's primary nuclear facility.
Grossi also noted that the IAEA is monitoring a new building at Yongbyon, which has "power supply and cooling capability similar to the Kangson enrichment facility." He stated that internal fitting work might be underway following the completion of external construction.
Additionally, Grossi indicated that the light water reactor at Yongbyon appears to continue operating after being shut down between August and November 2025. He observed no significant changes at the nuclear test site at Punggyeri, which remains prepared to support a nuclear test.
In his statement, Grossi called North Korea's continued development of its nuclear program "clear violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions," and emphasized that the IAEA "continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying the DPRK's nuclear program."