N Korea has built two-storey uranium enrichment facility, says watchdog

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says North Korea has built a new two-storey uranium enrichment facility at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex.

The new building is said to be capable of housing up to twenty-eight centrifuge cascades, which are used to enrich uranium.

The nuclear watchdog's director, Rafael Grossi, called the continuing production of weapons-grade material a cause for "serious concern".

The IAEA also reported that Pyongyang has started operating an expanded annex at another enrichment site. These findings, drawn from satellite imagery, point to a steady expansion of North Korea's nuclear infrastructure.

In a statement published earlier this week, Grossi said that there was a new building in Yongbyon. The agency, which was expelled by Pyongyang in 2009, does not have inspectors in North Korea but relies on satellite imagery to carry out assessments.

The IAEA had first reported on the existence of the building in June this year, according to a report released on 28 August. The report said that leader Kim Jong Un had on 3 June reportedly visited a "newly inagurated nuclear materials production factory", which it identified as the Yongbyon enrichment facility.

Kim had then praised the country's "greatly expanded production capacity", adding that this would "offer the possibility of carrying out larger plans", according to the IAEA report.

The IAEA also said there were indications that operations had started at another encirhment facility in Kangson, near the capital Pyongyang, in January this year. An annex had first been constructed in Kangson in 2024, it detailed.

The report relied on satellite imagery, open-source information, and photographs in state media.

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

The IAEA had said in April this year that North Koreaappeared to be stepping up its ability to make nuclear bombs, saying they were monitoring the apparent expansion of Yongbyon.

In August, South Korea's president, Lee Jae Myung, proposed talks with North Korea on officially ending the war between the two countries, adding that this could serve as a forum for discussing "effective ways to halt the advancement of the North's nuclear capabilities".

North Korea has yet to respond to the proposal.

North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and vowed never to relinquish its weapons, of which it is estimated to possess dozens.

Lee previously said Pyongyang was producing 15 to 20 more warheads annually, telling the BBC last year he would back a deal between US President Donald Trump and Kim to freeze production.