IAEA: "North Korea Builds New Two-Story Enrichment Facility at Nyongbyon, Continues to Expand Nuclear Capabilities"

[Financial News] North Korea is confirmed to have newly constructed a two-story uranium-enrichment facility within the Nyongbyon nuclear complex, raising growing concerns in the international community.
On the 9th (local time), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed serious concern over North Korea’s expanding nuclear infrastructure in a recently released report and statement. He said, "The continuation and further development of North Korea’s nuclear program are clear violations of UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable."
According to IAEA analysis, the newly constructed building is large enough to accommodate up to 28 cascades of centrifuges. North Korea also appears to have expanded an auxiliary building at the Kangson enrichment facility near Pyongyang and begun operating it early this year. The IAEA, which was expelled from North Korea in 2009, is currently tracking related developments using satellite imagery.
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a "newly completed nuclear-material production plant" and praised its greatly expanded production capacity, saying that the country would pursue larger plans. Experts point out that numerous concealed facilities exist beyond Nyongbyon, including Kangson.
Edward Howell, a lecturer at the University of Oxford, told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), "The biggest problem with North Korea’s nuclear program is that many of its facilities are concealed." He added, "There are likely to be additional covert production sites."
Meanwhile, the South Korean government is seeking to resume dialogue to prevent North Korea from advancing its nuclear capabilities. In August, President Lee Jae Myung proposed negotiations with North Korea on declaring an end to the Korean War, saying the talks could include discussions on halting its nuclear capabilities. North Korea has yet to respond.
Since declaring itself a "nuclear-armed state" in 2022, North Korea has been spending enormous sums each year to expand its nuclear arsenal. South Korean government officials estimate that North Korea has the capacity to produce an additional 15 to 20 nuclear warheads annually.

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