UN: North Korea's Nuclear Activities 'Cause For Serious Concern'

IAEA: North Korea’s nuclear activities remain 'cause for serious concern'

The head of the United Nations’ atomic watchdog warned on Monday that North Korea’s nuclear activities remain "a cause for serious concern" as there are signs it might be reprocessing spent reactor fuel to extract plutonium which could be used for weapons.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi made the remark during a meeting of its board of governors, according to Fox News.

"The DPRK’s nuclear activities remain a cause for serious concern," he said. "The continuation of the DPRK’s nuclear program is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable."

Grossi added that since September 2020, "some nuclear facilities in the DPRK have continued to operate while others have remained shut down."

He said a steam plant that serves a radiochemical laboratory "has continued to operate since my last Statement to the Board in March."

"The duration of this operation is consistent with the time required for a reprocessing campaign at the radiochemical laboratory," continued Grossi. "It is not, however, possible to confirm that reprocessing is taking place."