North Korea ‘resuming work’ on nuclear reactor

Three weeks after the catastrophic failure of what Pyongyang claimed was a
rocket to put a satellite into orbit, the regime vowed to push ahead with
what it claims are peaceful space and nuclear programmes.

Pyongyang’s defiance came after the five nations of the United Nations
Security Council – significantly including China, North Korea’s sole major
ally – issued a statement expressing “serious concern” at North Korea’s
activities. The five governments called on the regime to “refrain from any
further actions which may cause grave security concerns in the region,
including any nuclear tests.”

“The rapid construction of the plant may be an important indication of
Pyongyang’s intention to move forward as quickly as possible with its
uranium enrichment effort – to produce fuel for the reactor and potentially
fissile material for nuclear weapons,” Joel Wit, a visiting fellow at the
institute, wrote in a paper.

North Korea claims that its uranium enrichment programme is designed to
provide low-enriched fuel for new light-water reactors, but it will also be
able to produce weapons-grade uranium.

A second issue, Wit wrote, is the safety of the reactors.

“Whether North Korea’s new reactors are designed or will be operated according
to internationally accepted safety standards is another serious concern,” he
said. “Particularly in view of Pyongyang’s past practices and the recent
disaster at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant.”

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