IAEA regrets continued development of N. Korea’s nuclear program

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi expressed regret on Monday, over the continued development of North Korea's nuclear program, considering it a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. In his speech during the regular quarterly meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Grossi reiterated his call for North Korea to fully comply with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Grossi emphasized the urgent need for North Korea to cooperate with the agency in the full and effective implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Grossi confirmed that the agency continues to maintain its capabilities and readiness to preform its primary role in verifying North Korea's nuclear program. Grossi stated that the nuclear non-proliferation system requires concerted and continued efforts of all to ensure that legitimate nuclear activities were carried out peacefully. He added that activities at the Yongbyon Nuclear Science and Weapons Research Center were ongoing, with continued indications of the operation of the 5-megawatt reactor, as well as indications of the ongoing operation of the reported centrifuge enrichment facility and its annex. In late February 2024, work began on constructing an annex to the main building at the Kangson facility, now, the annex was externally complete, according to Grossi. He noted that there were no indications of changes at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, which remains ready to support a new nuclear test that would be a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and would be a cause for serious concern. The IAEA, founded in 1957 in Vienna, was an independent non-governmental organization operation operating under the supervision of the UN to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and limit nuclear armament. The IAEA, to fulfill this mission, it conducts monitoring, inspection, and investigation activities in countries with nuclear facilities. Source: Kuwai t News Agency