The Voice of America reports that the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly expressed concerns about North Korea’s unwavering nuclear ambitions.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in an introductory statement at the IAEA’s Board of Governors November meeting on Thursday that his agency has not been able to implement any safeguard measures in North Korea since April 2009. He added the communist nation’s nuclear program remains a matter of serious concern.

Amano said that the IAEA’s knowledge of the current status of North Korea’s nuclear program is limited, stressing that the agency should play an essential role in verifying the North's program.