On Monday, September 7th, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that North Korea is continuing to expand its nuclear weapons production capabilities. The report indicated that North Korea has constructed a second uranium enrichment facility within the Yongbyon nuclear facility, while expansion work at the Kangson uranium enrichment facility in Kangson has also begun operations.
According to a report dated August 28th by IAEA as cited by Reuters, the second uranium enrichment facility has been completed within the Yongbyon nuclear facility. As IAEA inspectors have been barred from entering North Korea since 2009, this report heavily relies on satellite imagery and public data, including photos released by North Korean official media, to track and analyze nuclear activities in Pyongyang.
The report mentioned that by comparing images released by official media during Kim Jong Un’s inspection on June 3rd and satellite images taken during construction, IAEA assessed the purpose of the new two-story building in Yongbyon.
Satellite images show that the building has gas centrifuges installed on both floors, capable of accommodating up to 28 centrifuge cascades. Centrifuge cascades are systems that string together hundreds or thousands of gas centrifuges to significantly enhance the separation purity of uranium isotopes.
Additionally, there are indications that the annex building of the Kangson uranium enrichment facility near the capital Pyongyang, built in 2024, began operations in January this year.
IAEA pointed out that North Korea’s activities violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. On Monday, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned the Security Council that the continued operation of the Kangson and Yongbyon enrichment facilities, along with reports of further expanding the production of nuclear-grade materials by North Korea, should be of serious concern.
Pyongyang has repeatedly refused IAEA jurisdiction and verification. The North Korean Permanent Mission in Vienna to the United Nations claimed in September 2025 that North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state is “irreversible” and stated that North Korea is not bound by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), asserting that IAEA has no authority to interfere in its internal affairs.