DPRK WMD Programme

Across DPRK, the IAEA and various research institutes have observed a number of notable key activities. DPRK Monitor will continue to follow up with these organizations to obtain further clarification and updates on their assessments.

Source: Google Earth Pro (annotated by DPRK Monitor)

March 2, 2026

IAEA Director General's Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors, 2 March 2026, Vienna, Austria

Key Points

  • 5MW(e) Reactor: Continues to operate in its seventh irradiation cycle, indicating steady plutonium production.

  • Reprocessing Activity: The Radiochemical Laboratory was active from January to September 2025, likely processing irradiated fuel from the reactor's previous cycle.

  • Uranium Enrichment: Facilities at both Kangson and Yongbyon remain operational. Of particular concern is a new building at Yongbyon with infrastructure (power/cooling) mirroring the Kangson enrichment site.

  • Light Water Reactor (LWR): After a temporary shutdown (August–November 2025), indications suggest the reactor has resumed operation.

  • Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: No significant structural changes observed, but the site remains in a state of readiness to support a nuclear test at any time.

Full article of the IAEA (Excerpts regarding the DPRK only)

The IAEA continues to monitor the nuclear programme of the DPRK.

The Agency has observed that the 5MW(e) reactor at Yongbyon likely continues to operate in its seventh irradiation cycle. Operation of the Radiochemical Laboratory was observed between January and September 2025, when irradiated fuel from the sixth cycle of the 5MW(e) reactor was likely reprocessed.

The ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at Kangson and Yongbyon is of serious concern. In addition, the Agency is continuing to monitor a new building at Yongbyon which has dimensions and infrastructure, including power supply and cooling capacity, similar to the Kangson enrichment facility. The new building is externally complete and internal fitting is likely underway.

There are indications that the light water reactor (LWR) at Yongbyon continues to operate after a period of shutdown between August and November 2025.

There were no indications of significant changes at the Nuclear Test Site at Punggye-ri, which remains prepared to support a nuclear test.

The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable. The Agency continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme.

Source: IAEA.

November 19, 2025

IAEA Director General's Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors, 19 November 2025, Vienna, Austria

Key Points

  • 5MW(e) reactor at Yongbyon is likely operating in its seventh cycle, with evidence of fuel reprocessing from the sixth cycle observed in early–mid 2025.

  • The ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at Kangson and Yongbyon is of serious concern.

  • A new building under construction at Yongbyon, similar in size and features to the Kangson enrichment plant, may indicate additional enrichment capacity.

  • The Yongbyon light-water reactor (LWR) appears to have operated stably until early August 2025, but was likely shut down thereafter.

  • No major changes were observed at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, which remains ready for a nuclear test, underscoring continued violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

Full artcile of the IAEA (Excerpts regarding the DPRK only)

The IAEA continues to monitor the nuclear programme of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Agency has observed that the 5MW(e) reactor at Yongbyon likely continues to operate in its seventh cycle. Between January and September 2025, indicators were observed at the Radiochemical Laboratory consistent with the reprocessing of a core load of irradiated fuel from the reactor’s sixth operating cycle.

The ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at Kangson and Yongbyon is of serious concern.

In addition, the Agency is continuing to monitor the construction of a new building at Yongbyon which has dimensions and features similar to the Kangson enrichment plant.

There are indications that the light water reactor (LWR) at Yongbyon continued in stable operation until early-August 2025 but has likely been shut down since then.

There were no indications of significant changes at the Nuclear Test Site at Punggye-ri, which remains prepared to support a nuclear test.

The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable. The Agency continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme.

Source: IAEA.

June 9, 2025

Source: Google Earth Pro (Annotated by DPRK Monitor)