The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, stated that North Korea is showing signs of operating a thermal power plant used to provide heat for a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility.
During a briefing on uranium enrichment activities in North Korea, Grossi indicated that while there are no signs of production at the main Yongbyon facility, there are indications of activity at another nuclear site in Kangson, on the outskirts of Pyongyang. He explained that there are recent signs of operation at the steam plant serving the radiochemical laboratory, reaffirming that "North Korea's nuclear activities remain a cause for serious concern."
He added that the continuation of North Korea's nuclear program is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and is "extremely regrettable." Rafael Grossi called on Pyongyang to "adhere to United Nations Security Council resolutions against weapons of mass destruction programs," stating: "I urge North Korea to fully comply with its obligations under Security Council resolutions and to cooperate promptly with the agency for the full and effective implementation of the safeguards agreement under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and to resolve all outstanding issues." The Director General did not report any indications of operations at the 5-megawatt nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon complex or uranium enrichment at the reported centrifuge facility there.
