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Satellite Images Show North Korea Ramping Up Nuclear Work at Yongbyon Throughout 2025

Satellite imagery analyzed by 38 North shows sustained construction and modernization across North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex in October–November 2025, including work consistent with a new uranium enrichment facility and support infrastructure. The site remains the country's only known plutonium producer and a major source of enriched uranium, with the existing 5-megawatt reactor operating and an experimental light-water reactor undergoing pre-operational checks. Observed activity — including signs of a summer reprocessing campaign — aligns with Kim Jong Un's directive to accelerate production of weapons-grade material, while diplomacy with Washington remains stalled.

06:24 PM, 11/24/2025Security
Satellite Images Show North Korea Ramping Up Nuclear Work at Yongbyon Throughout 2025

New satellite imagery analyzed by monitoring site 38 North indicates that North Korea intensified construction and modernization at its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center throughout 2025, particularly during October and November. The work underscores a concerted effort to expand the country's capacity to produce fissile material for its nuclear weapons program.

Analysts report significant activity in the eastern portion of the complex consistent with a new uranium enrichment facility first publicly noted by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi in June. Imagery shows the completed exterior of two support buildings, concrete paving, terraced slopes, and six units outside the presumed enrichment hall that analysts assess could be heat-exchanger units — equipment commonly used to cool centrifuges in enrichment operations.

38 North notes the suspected facility's layout and footprint are comparable to another suspected enrichment plant in Kangson, near Pyongyang. In addition to the apparent enrichment work, the report documents continuing operation of Yongbyon’s existing 5-megawatt reactor and pre-operational testing of an experimental light-water reactor. Analysts also observed indications consistent with a reprocessing campaign over the summer months.

These developments align with public statements by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who described 2025 as a "crucial year" for boosting production and urged officials to "overfulfill the plan for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials." 38 North concludes that the observed activity at Yongbyon supports Pyongyang's goal of accelerating growth of its nuclear arsenal.

Diplomatic engagement on North Korea’s nuclear program has been largely dormant since the 2019 Hanoi summit between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Pyongyang has recently signaled some openness to resuming talks with Washington but has made clear that relinquishing its nuclear forces is not on the table.

Independent assessments provide additional context: the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated in June that North Korea possesses roughly 50 nuclear warheads and has enough fissile material for about 40 more. Taken together, satellite observations and open-source estimates suggest sustained expansion of North Korea’s production and processing capabilities at Yongbyon during 2025.

Sources: 38 North analysis; statements from IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi; SIPRI assessment.

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