IAEA suspects North Korea still enriching uranium, heightens open-source info collection

International Atomic Energy ncy (IAEA) suspects rth Korea is still enriching uranium. On Wednesday, September 2 UN's atomic watchdog said that while re are signs of rth Korea reprocessing fuel from its main nuclear reactor into plutonium over past year, seems to be still enriching uranium which could potentially be used in a nuclear weapon.

According to reports, IAEA does t have any inspectors in Pyongyang at moment since y were expelled back in 2009. report added that UN body is putting efforts to prepare inspectors for ir return if approved by rth Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un. 

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IAEA monitors rth Korea

According to reports, IAEA has intensified its open-source information collection and increased its reach over satellite imry to monitor rth Korea's nuclear program. It furr added that without any vigilance teams present to carry out information, IAEA’s kwledge of rth Korea’s nuclear program “is limited and, as furr nuclear activities take place in country, this kwledge is declining.” 

rth Korea is reported to possess equipment and facilities to produce highly enriched uranium and plutonium which are important components used in explosives at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex situated rth of Pyongyang. 

In its report, IAEA said that covering period since its last assessment in August 2019, re has been detected operation of plant that provides steam for reprocessing of spent fuel rods, “refore it is almost certain that reprocessing activity took place and that plutonium produced... during most recent operational cycle has t been separated.”

However, at same time, UN ncy reported that its observations of cooling units at Yongbyon nuclear fuel rod fabrication plant and vehicular movements re “were consistent with production of enriched uranium at reported centrifuge enrichment facility.”

READ: Iran Agrees To Allow IAEA To Inspect Two Suspected Nuclear Sites 'to Resolve Issues'

Iran agrees to allow IAEA inspectors

Meanwhile, Iran has agreed to allow inspectors from IAEA to visit country's two suspected nuclear sites for verification purposes. Islamic Republic and United Nations' nuclear watchdog reached an agreement that would allow IAEA to visit two suspected nuclear cities in Tehran and Isfahan. agreement comes amid IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi's high-level visit to Iran. 

Iran had long-denied permission to IAEA for inspection in country, arguing that it was due to baseless allegations from Israel. But Islamic Republic finally agreed after continuous pressure from UN body over past few months. 

Tensions in region have flared since US President Donald Trump unilaterally backed out of Iran nuclear deal which was imposed by Obama administration in a bid to stabilize Middle East. Since 2018 pull-out, Trump administration has made numerous attempts to reinstate pre-Iran deal sanctions on Islamic Republic.

(With AP Inputs)

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Im/Inputs: AP