The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says North Korea should be regarded as a nuclear power.

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said in Beijing Monday that "it is a fact North Korea possesses nuclear weapons."

He said reality must be faced as he announced his list of nine nuclear powers, including North Korea.

Currently, the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain are officially recognized as nuclear weapons states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. India, Pakistan and Israel are also considered nuclear powers.