North Korea building nukes capable of hitting Washington and New York

NewsTannur Anders UK & World News Reporter and Callum Hoare02:58, 16 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a combustion test of a solid-fuel rocket engine (file image)(Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images)

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog has declared that North Korea has made "very serious" advances in its capacity to manufacture nuclear weapons.

This emerges at a moment when nuclear warfare discussions are widespread amid continuing Middle East tensions over what the US claims stems from Iranian nuclear capabilities.

North Korea is thought to have constructed approximately 50 nuclear warheads, though some specialists remain doubtful of its assertions that it can miniaturise them for attachment to long-range ballistic missiles, the Guardian reported.

During a visit to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Wednesday, April 15, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi verified reports of a sharp increase in operations at the nation's primary nuclear facility, Yongbyon.

View 3 Images(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

He stated that work had escalated at Yongbyon's 5MW reactor, reprocessing plant, light water reactor and additional installations. North Korea is thought to hold several dozen nuclear warheads.

Since carrying out its inaugural nuclear test two decades ago, the regime has developed what some specialists describe as a functional nuclear arsenal that encompasses intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking the US mainland.

Under leader Kim Jong Un, the nation has accelerated its nuclear weapons programme in defiance of UN sanctions.

Analysts regard this as an effort to diminish the possibility that it might eventually become a target for regime change by the US. Grossi's remarks emerged as a US think tank claimed North Korea appeared to have finished constructing a building designed for uranium enrichment at the nuclear facility.

Beyond Parallel, based at the Washington-headquartered Center for Strategic and International Studies, reported this week that satellite images suggested the new installation was approaching operational capability, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

View 3 ImagesNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the destroyer Choe Hyon (file image)(Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images)

The think tank stated the suspected new enrichment plant at Yongbyon and another at a location in Kangson near the capital Pyongyang had not been disclosed to international nuclear authorities.

It claimed production of enriched uranium "would significantly increase the number of nuclear weapons North Korea could possess".

The findings aligned with an evaluation released by the IAEA in June last year in which it stated the regime was constructing an enrichment facility at Yongbyon that could be utilised to produce weapons-grade material.

In March, Grossi stated there was no evidence of "significant change" at the North's primary nuclear testing site at Punggye-ri, but noted that it remained capable of supporting nuclear tests.

He branded North Korea's nuclear programme a "clear violation" of UN security council resolutions.

He also stated that the agency "continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying [North Korea's] nuclear programme". The nation hasn't carried out a nuclear test since 2017, but it has showcased progress in its missile technology and grown its arsenal of weapons. This aligns with Kim's remarks last August to seek a "rapid expansion of nuclearisation".

Diplomatic attempts to curb North Korea's nuclear aspirations have stumbled following fruitless summits between Kim and US President Donald Trump during his initial term, coupled with a worsening relationship between the regime and neighbouring South Korea.