Pyongyang making ‘very serious’ progress on producing weapons, with rapid rise in activity at main nuclear complex
North Korea has made “very serious” progress in its ability to produce more nuclear weapons, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has warned, in another sign that the regime is seeking to use its nuclear arsenal to ensure its survival.
North Korea is thought to have assembled about 50 nuclear warheads, although some experts are sceptical of its claims that it is able to miniaturise them so they can be attached to long-range ballistic missiles.
Speaking during a visit to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Wednesday, Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed reports of a rapid rise in activity at North Korea’s main nuclear complex, Yongbyon.
Grossi said work had intensified at Yongbyon’s five-megawatt reactor, reprocessing unit, light water reactor and other facilities, adding that the country is believed to possess several dozen nuclear warheads.
