The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed North Korea has built a new uranium enrichment facility at its Yongbyon complex, capable of housing up to 28 centrifuge cascades, while expanding an annex at Kangson, according to a report dated August 28. The findings, based on satellite imagery and state media photos, mark a significant escalation in Pyongyang’s nuclear infrastructure.
IAEA Identifies New Enrichment Facility
The IAEA identified a new two-storey building at Yongbyon as a second uranium enrichment facility, comparing state media photographs of Kim Jong Un’s June visit with satellite images. The report, dated August 28, states the site could accommodate up to 28 centrifuge cascades, with operations reportedly beginning in January at an expanded Kangson annex. The agency’s inspectors have not been in North Korea since 2009, relying on open-source materials and satellite data to track activities.
Photographs from Kim’s visit show gas centrifuge cascades installed on both floors of the main building, according to the IAEA. The agency emphasized the ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at Kangson and Yongbyon and the further expansion of the DPRK’s production of weapons-grade nuclear material as a cause for serious concern. The IAEA estimates that the facility could accommodate up to 28 cascades of the type visible in the images, without being able to determine with certainty how many are already complete or their actual level of use. The report also mentions the embeddedness of North Korea’s nuclear doctrine within its foreign and domestic policy, suggesting more concealed production sites likely exist beyond Yongbyon and Kangson.
North Korea’s Rejection of IAEA Authority
North Korea’s mission to the United Nations in Vienna rejected the IAEA’s findings, asserting its status as a nuclear weapons state is irreversible and that the agency has no legal right … to interfere in the internal affairs of a nuclear weapons state which exists outside the NPT. The country has consistently denied the IAEA’s authority, with Pyongyang’s officials describing the watchdog’s reports as “baseless” and a violation of its sovereignty.
The IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, reiterated that the developments violate UN Security Council resolutions, stating, The continuation and further development of the DPRK's nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable.
North Korea’s recent actions align with its broader strategy of expanding nuclear capabilities, including the 2024 construction of an annex at Kangson and the declaration of itself as a nuclear power.
Implications for Regional and Global Security
Experts highlight the strategic risks of North Korea’s expanding nuclear infrastructure. Edward Howell, a University of Oxford lecturer, noted, What makes North Korea’s nuclear programme so concerning is that many of its facilities are unknown, concealed, and thus difficult to target.
Uncertainties and Next Steps
While the IAEA’s report outlines the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear infrastructure, key questions remain. The agency cannot confirm the exact operational status of the new facility, and Pyongyang’s defiance of international scrutiny complicates verification efforts. The IAEA’s next steps, including potential diplomatic or sanctions measures, are unclear. Meanwhile, North Korea’s continued investment in nuclear capabilities signals a long-term commitment to military strength, despite global condemnation.
Construction of the new building at Yongbyon began in December 2024, with the exterior shell completed by May 2025. Between June and October 2025, the site was connected to the power supply, then equipped with backup generators and six cooling units. In September, Kim Jong-un toured the uranium enrichment facility during its construction.
This disclosure is in line with Kim’s repeated vows to expand its nuclear weapons program to cope with what he called escalating U.S.-led military threats, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
