IAEA has "serious concern" over found expansion of N.Korea’s nuclear program

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog has published their belief that North Korea has built an additional uranium enrichment facility at its nuclear complex in Yongbyon, calling it a cause for "serious concern".

This observation was outlined in a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as Caliber.Az reports, which looks at North Korea’s nuclear activities over the past year. 

Their observation found that the new building is part of the main Yongbyon nuclear complex, and is believed to be capable of housing up to 28 centrifuge cascades used to enrich uranium.

The agency points out that Pyongyang has long restricted its cooperation with international inspectors, which restricts the IAEA from obtaining comprehensive information about the country’s nuclear program.

The IAEA also reported that its experts had observed “signs of the commencement of operation of an additional annex at the uranium enrichment plant at Kangson.”

The report further cited “evidence” of an expansion in the scale of activities related to uranium mining and processing at a mine and processing plant in Pyongsan.

"The continuation and further development of the DPRK's nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable," IAEA director Rafael Grossi said in a statement earlier this week.

By Nazrin Sadigova