SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is continuing to produce fissile material for its nuclear weapons at its main nuclear research site in Yongbyon and new construction is underway to readjust the facilities, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in an annual report.
"There were indications consistent with the reactor's operation, including steam discharges and the outflow of cooling water," the IAEA said in a recent report, titled "Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
"Based on past operational cycles, the current cycle could be expected to continue until late 2017," the report said, referring to a 5-megawatt experimental reactor at the research site.
"There were indications consistent with the use of the reported centrifuge enrichment facility located within the plant," the report also said, suggesting North Korea's continuing uranium enrichment. "Construction work was undertaken on a building that adjoins the reported centrifuge enrichment facility."
An increase in activity has also been monitored at the construction site for a light water reactor (LWR) on the compound, the report also said, suggesting progress in North Korea's ongoing development of indigenous light water reactor nuclear power station technology.
"There were indications in the LWR construction yard of an increase in activities consistent with the fabrication of certain reactor components ... Work to connect what appears to be the LWR's electrical switchyard with the electrical distribution network was completed," it noted.
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