{"id":1884194,"date":"2026-04-15T19:14:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T16:14:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1884194"},"modified":"2026-04-15T19:14:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T16:14:19","slug":"north-korea-showing-serious-increase-in-ability-to-make-nuclear-weapons-iaea-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1884194","title":{"rendered":"North Korea showing &#8216;serious increase&#8217; in ability to make nuclear weapons, IAEA says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/30\/1200x675_cmsv2_6775b47d-7401-56b0-abf3-94e8e2e5638d-9723630.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2886549-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2886549\" data-cid=\"9723647\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886549-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/47\/189x106_cmsv2_209ed28e-d740-51d3-a6f2-7b9e7cc73cb5-9723647.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers remove debris at Sharif University of Technology complex that Iranian authorities say was hit by a US-Israeli strike in Tehran, 6 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House says discussing second round of Iran talks in Pakistan\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886389-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2886389\" data-cid=\"9722859\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886389-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/28\/59\/189x106_cmsv2_f9b2e2a0-6b94-5221-9254-2f28dea9d718-9722859.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs Sander Smit (ECR) &amp; Daniel Freund (Greens\/EFA)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Magyar beats Orb\u00e1n &#8211; What&#8217;s next for the EU? MEPs go head-to-head\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886531-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2886531\" data-cid=\"9723580\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886531-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/35\/80\/189x106_cmsv2_3da07ee8-994a-5c80-9502-b9e46331d9ba-9723580.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Gotlands Enerji plant in Visby, 28 October, 2019\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Sweden thwarted 2025 pro-Russian cyberattack on thermal power plant\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886526-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2886526\" data-cid=\"9723563\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886526-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/35\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_f5465153-e65c-56fc-9cda-5f99c5ec7075-9723563.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People stand at the courtyard of a secondary school where an assailant opened fire, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Panicked scenes after school shooting in Turkey leaves at least nine dead\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886549-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2886549\" data-cid=\"9723647\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886549-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/47\/189x106_cmsv2_209ed28e-d740-51d3-a6f2-7b9e7cc73cb5-9723647.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers remove debris at Sharif University of Technology complex that Iranian authorities say was hit by a US-Israeli strike in Tehran, 6 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House says discussing second round of Iran talks in Pakistan\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886389-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2886389\" data-cid=\"9722859\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886389-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/28\/59\/189x106_cmsv2_f9b2e2a0-6b94-5221-9254-2f28dea9d718-9722859.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs Sander Smit (ECR) &amp; Daniel Freund (Greens\/EFA)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Magyar beats Orb\u00e1n &#8211; What&#8217;s next for the EU? MEPs go head-to-head\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886531-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2886531\" data-cid=\"9723580\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886531-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/35\/80\/189x106_cmsv2_3da07ee8-994a-5c80-9502-b9e46331d9ba-9723580.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Gotlands Enerji plant in Visby, 28 October, 2019\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Sweden thwarted 2025 pro-Russian cyberattack on thermal power plant\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886526-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2886526\" data-cid=\"9723563\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886526-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/35\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_f5465153-e65c-56fc-9cda-5f99c5ec7075-9723563.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People stand at the courtyard of a secondary school where an assailant opened fire, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Panicked scenes after school shooting in Turkey leaves at least nine dead\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          South Korea<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            North Korea showing &#8216;serious increase&#8217; in ability to make nuclear weapons, IAEA says<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/30\/1536x864_cmsv2_6775b47d-7401-56b0-abf3-94e8e2e5638d-9723630.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news programme at Seoul Railway Station, 27 January, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea&#8217;s missile launch during a news programme at Seoul Railway Station, 27 January, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776280459\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-15 21:14:19 +02:00\">15\/04\/2026 &#8211; 21:14 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" 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loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, is under rafts of UN sanctions for its banned weapons programmes.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>North Korea is showing a &#8220;very serious increase&#8221; in its ability to produce atomic weapons, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said during a visit to Seoul on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;In our periodic assessments, we have been able to confirm that there&#8217;s a rapid increase in the operations&#8221; of the Yongbyon reactor, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said in Seoul, where he met South Korea&#8217;s foreign minister.<\/p>\n<p>The agency also observed a rise in operations at Yongbyon&#8217;s reprocessing unit and light-water reactor, as well as the activation of other facilities, Grossi told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;All that points to a very serious increase in the capabilities of (the) DPRK in the area of nuclear weapons production, which is estimated at a few dozen warheads,&#8221; he said, referring to the Democratic People&#8217;s Republic of Korea, the North&#8217;s official name.<\/p>\n<p>North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, is under rafts of UN sanctions for its banned weapons programmes.<\/p>\n<p>It has declared that it will never surrender its nuclear weapons and cut off access to IAEA inspectors in 2009.<\/p>\n<p>The agency has noted the construction of a &#8220;new facility similar to the enrichment facility in Yongbyon,&#8221; Grossi said.<\/p>\n<p>It was &#8220;not easy to calculate&#8221; any production increases without visiting the site.<\/p>\n<p>However, &#8220;we consider, looking at external features of the facility, that there will be significant increase in the enrichment capacity of the DPRK,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The Centre for Strategic and International Studies said this week that North Korea appeared to have completed a building at Yongbyon that could be a new uranium enrichment plant.<\/p>\n<p>Citing satellite imagery from April, the US-based think tank said the building had generators, fuel storage tanks and cooling units.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/30\/808x539_cmsv2_eff198ee-ee1a-5cf3-ba10-06e780a211b3-9723630.jpg\" alt=\"Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi speaks during a press conference in Seoul, 15 April, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi speaks during a press conference in Seoul, 15 April, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Russia connection unclear<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Asked whether Russia was assisting North Korea&#8217;s nuclear development, Grossi said the IAEA had not seen &#8220;anything in particular in that regard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While the agency hoped any such cooperation would be civilian in nature, &#8220;if anything, this is too early days to judge,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>North Korea has sent ground troops and artillery shells to support Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and observers say Pyongyang is receiving military technology assistance from Moscow in return.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/30\/808x539_cmsv2_3d49c2a0-a178-5f84-b870-bea3795b61bf-9723630.jpg\" alt=\"Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un exchange documents during a signing ceremony in Pyongyang, 19 June, 2024\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea&#8217;s leader Kim Jong Un exchange documents during a signing ceremony in Pyongyang, 19 June, 2024<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Grossi told South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun that Pyongyang&#8217;s nuclear programme &#8220;remained one of the IAEA&#8217;s key issues,&#8221; statement from the ministry said later on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Cho said Seoul was working to &#8220;end hostility and confrontation&#8221; with the North and to pursue peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the peninsula.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, top naval commanders from South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Seoul on Wednesday to hold maritime security talks aimed at deterring North Korea&#8217;s growing nuclear and missile threats, Seoul&#8217;s navy said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  North Korea launches ballistic missiles after declaring South &#8216;most hostile enemy&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  China resumes flights to North Korea after a six-year pause<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Belarus&#8217;s Lukashenko gifts assault rifle to North Korea&#8217;s Kim Jong Un<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    United Nations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    IAEA<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    North Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Rafael Grossi<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Kim Jong-un<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    South Korea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div 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data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886549-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/47\/320x180_cmsv2_209ed28e-d740-51d3-a6f2-7b9e7cc73cb5-9723647.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers remove debris at Sharif University of Technology complex that Iranian authorities say was hit by a US-Israeli strike in Tehran, 6 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House says discussing second round of Iran talks in Pakistan<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2886198-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886198\" data-cid=\"9722999\" data-part-label=\"Partner 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height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886549-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886549\" data-cid=\"9723647\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886549-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/47\/320x180_cmsv2_209ed28e-d740-51d3-a6f2-7b9e7cc73cb5-9723647.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers remove debris at Sharif University of Technology complex that Iranian authorities say was hit by a US-Israeli strike in Tehran, 6 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    White House says discussing second round of Iran talks in Pakistan<br \/>\n  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the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886467\" data-cid=\"9723461\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2886467-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/34\/61\/320x180_cmsv2_3a4371bc-a5f3-5e3e-aef9-42a39813ac16-9723461.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Ukrainian serviceman shoots towards a drone during training in the Zaporizhzhia region, 8 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine and Italy pledge cooperation on defence and drone production<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886531-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886531\" data-cid=\"9723580\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure 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Germany<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886016-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886016\" data-cid=\"9720958\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Greenpeace warns of potential &#8216;catastrophic&#8217; Chernobyl collapse<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886323-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886323\" data-cid=\"9722583\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     Magyar vows to shut down Hungarian state TV akin to &#8216;North Korea&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886336-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886336\" data-cid=\"9722664\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    One million signatures call to suspend EU-Israel association agreement<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886172-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886172\" data-cid=\"9721757\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Conservative MP reportedly calls for DJ Haram to be barred from UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">North Korea is showing a &#8220;very serious increase&#8221; in its ability to produce atomic weapons, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said during a visit to Seoul on Wednesday.&#8221;In our periodic assessments, we have been able to confirm that there&#8217;s a rapid increase in the operations&#8221; of the Yongbyon reactor, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said in Seoul, where he met South Korea&#8217;s foreign minister.The agency also observed a rise in operations at Yongbyon&#8217;s reprocessing unit and light-water reactor, as well as the activation of other facilities, Grossi told reporters.&#8221;All that points to a very serious increase in the capabilities of (the) DPRK in the area of nuclear weapons production, which is estimated at a few dozen warheads,&#8221; he said, referring to the Democratic People&#8217;s Republic of Korea, the North&#8217;s official name.North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, is under rafts of UN sanctions for its banned weapons programmes.It has declared that it will never surrender its nuclear weapons and cut off access to IAEA inspectors in 2009.The agency has noted the construction of a &#8220;new facility similar to the enrichment facility in Yongbyon,&#8221; Grossi said.It was &#8220;not easy to calculate&#8221; any production increases without visiting the site.However, &#8220;we consider, looking at external features of the facility, that there will be significant increase in the enrichment capacity of the DPRK,&#8221; he said.The Centre for Strategic and International Studies said this week that North Korea appeared to have completed a building at Yongbyon that could be a new uranium enrichment plant.Citing satellite imagery from April, the US-based think tank said the building had generators, fuel storage tanks and cooling units.Russia connection unclearAsked whether Russia was assisting North Korea&#8217;s nuclear development, Grossi said the IAEA had not seen &#8220;anything in particular in that regard.&#8221;While the agency hoped any such cooperation would be civilian in nature, &#8220;if anything, this is too early days to judge,&#8221; he said.North Korea has sent ground troops and artillery shells to support Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and observers say Pyongyang is receiving military technology assistance from Moscow in return.Grossi told South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun that Pyongyang&#8217;s nuclear programme &#8220;remained one of the IAEA&#8217;s key issues,&#8221; statement from the ministry said later on Wednesday.Cho said Seoul was working to &#8220;end hostility and confrontation&#8221; with the North and to pursue peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the peninsula.Separately, top naval commanders from South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Seoul on Wednesday to hold maritime security talks aimed at deterring North Korea&#8217;s growing nuclear and missile threats, Seoul&#8217;s navy said.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/04\/15\/north-korea-showing-serious-increase-in-ability-to-make-nuclear-weapons-iaea-says&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/36\/30\/1200x675_cmsv2_6775b47d-7401-56b0-abf3-94e8e2e5638d-9723630.jpg&#8221;] Iran White House says discussing second round of Iran talks in Pakistan The Ring Magyar beats Orb\u00e1n &#8211; What&#8217;s next for the EU? MEPs go head-to-head Europe News Sweden thwarted 2025 pro-Russian cyberattack on thermal power plant No Comment Panicked scenes after school shooting in Turkey leaves at least nine dead Iran [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1884194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1884194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1884194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1884194\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1884194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1884194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1884194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}