North Korea is taking advantage of the US being distracted by Iran: report

President Donald J. Trump shakes hands with Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea Kim Jong Un Sunday, June 30, 2019, as the two leaders meet at the Korean Demilitarized Zone. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

As international attention has focused on developments in the Middle East, North Korea continues to expand its nuclear weapons program.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that North Korea is rapidly expanding its nuclear program.

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi is confirming that there is a "very serious increase" in weapons production at the nuclear power plant in North Korea, which is also a weapons research center.

There is a new 5-megawatt nuclear reactor and reprocessing units, but there is also a potential enrichment facility that could boost the country's arsenal to dozens of warheads.

Grossi wrote on X that he was grateful that the Republic of Korea could facilitate a meeting at the DMZ. He wrote, "As the world's attention is focused on developments in the Middle East, we must not forget tensions and divisions elsewhere, including here on the Korean Peninsula."

Speaking to reporters, Grossi, the United Nations' atomic chief, said, "All of them point to a very serious increase in the capabilities."

According to new satellite imagery analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, North Korea appears to be constructing a suspected uranium enrichment plant at Yongbyon. The existence of the facility has previously been flagged by the IAEA and South Korean officials.

"The present situation clearly proves," Kim said in March, "how just the strategic option and decision of our state were in rejecting the enemy's cajolery and perpetuating our nuclear possession."

The CSIS said that construction appears to be ongoing. Once finished, they expect the capacity to "significantly increase" the number of nuclear weapons available in North Korea, the report said.

Trump repeatedly affirms that he has good ties with Kim. He has also spent the past month saying that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

"Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reaffirmed that the ROK will fully comply with its obligations under the NPT in the process of introducing conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, and emphasized its commitment to transparent communication with the IAEA," wrote Grossi after the meeting with South Korea on Thursday. "In this context, I recalled the need for ROK to continue to adhere to all applicable non-proliferation and safeguards obligations. As with other NPT non-nuclear-weapon states with such plans, the IAEA will work closely with ROK to ensure the implementation of all its safeguards responsibilities."

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