Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is closely observing the development of a new structure within North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear facilities. The agency's chief has expressed concerns about the building's resemblance to a known uranium enrichment facility near Pyongyang.
According to Yonhap News Agency, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that the agency is actively monitoring the construction at Yongbyon. The new building reportedly shares dimensions and features with the Kangson enrichment plant. This information was disclosed in a statement addressed to the agency's board of governors, which was published on the IAEA's website.
North Korea has been recognized for operating uranium enrichment facilities at Yongbyon. There are also suspicions regarding the existence of an additional facility at Kangson, situated near Pyongyang. Grossi emphasized that these undeclared enrichment facilities at both Kangson and Yongbyon pose significant concerns for the international community.
The situation draws further attention to North Korea's nuclear activities, especially following reports from the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency. Last September and January, the agency covered North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's inspections of a nuclear material production base and a nuclear weapons institute. While images of their interiors were released, the specific locations were not disclosed, leading to media speculations on their whereabouts.