North Korea has constructed a new two-storey uranium enrichment facility as part of the main Yongbyon nuclear complex, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The facility is believed to be capable of housing up to 28 centrifuge cascades—machines used to enrich uranium, a key component in nuclear weapons and power. The IAEA also reported that Pyongyang has started operating an expanded annex at another enrichment site, suggesting a growing nuclear infrastructure. These developments come despite the absence of IAEA inspectors in North Korea since 2009, when they were expelled, leaving the agency to rely on satellite imagery for assessments. IAEA director Rafael Grossi expressed concern, stating that the ongoing expansion of North Korea’s nuclear program violates UN Security Council resolutions and is "deeply regrettable." The IAEA had first mentioned the new building in June, though Grossi had raised the possibility earlier in the year. In June, the agency noted that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a "newly inaugurated nuclear materials production factory," which it identified as the Yongbyon enrichment facility. Kim reportedly praised the country’s "greatly expanded production capacity," saying it would "offer the possibility of carrying out larger plans." In addition to Yongbyon, the IAEA has observed signs of activity at another enrichment facility in Kangson, near Pyongyang. An annex at this site was first built in 2024, and operations may have started as early as January 2024. Experts suggest that many of North Korea’s nuclear facilities remain hidden or unknown, making them difficult to monitor or target. A 2022 report estimated that North Korea spends around $640 million annually on its nuclear program, indicating significant investment in expanding its capabilities. North Korea’s nuclear ambitions have accelerated under Kim Jong Un, who has overseen a record number of missile tests, including numerous intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) since 2017. The country has conducted six nuclear weapons tests, with the last occurring in September 2017. South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War, suggesting this could be a platform to address the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. However, Pyongyang has not yet responded to the proposal. North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and has vowed never to give up its weapons, which are estimated to number in the dozens.