UN agency claims North Korean leader Kim Jong Un restarts Nuclear Reactor Operation

It said North Korea's nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern. In addition, new indications of the operation of the 5-MW reactor and radio-chemical laboratory are of concern.

Yogita
Published on: 30 Aug 2021 12:18 PM GMT
UN agency claims North Korean leader Kim Jong Un restarts Nuclear Reactor Operation
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, PC: Social Media

Mumbai: North Korea has resumed operations of its main nuclear reactor used to produce weapons fuel. The United Nations Atomic Agency has claimed this in its annual report. North Korea has openly threatened to increase its nuclear arsenal amid long-dormant nuclear diplomacy with the United States.

Kim Jong Un starts Nuclear Reactor:

The International Atomic Energy Agency's annual report refers to a 5 MW reactor at North Korea's main nuclear complex in Yongbyon, northern Pyongyang. The reactor produces plutonium, which along with highly enriched uranium is one of the two major ingredients used to make nuclear weapons.

"Since early July 2021, there have been indications, including a discharge of cold water, consistent with the operation of the reactor," the IAEA report Friday said. There were indications that Yongbyon's Radio Chemical Laboratory was operating from mid-February to early July this year, the report said.

It said North Korea's nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern. In addition, new indications of the operation of the 5-MW reactor and radiochemical laboratory are of concern.

In 2009, North Korea expelled inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Since then the agency has not had access to Yongbyon or other locations in North Korea. The agency said it uses satellite imagery and open source information to monitor developments in North Korea's nuclear program.

The Yongbyon complex also produces highly enriched uranium, the other major nuclear fuel. North Korea calls the complex the heart of its nuclear program and research. The IAEA report said there were indications that the complex was closed for some time, but there was regular vehicular movement.

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Yogita

Yogita

She covers current News topics, keeps the audience updated with Buzz around the world.

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