A new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said North Korea appears to have restarted a nuclear reactor capable of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons, which the group called “deeply troubling.”
“Since early July 2021, there have been indications consistent with the operation of the 5MW(e) reactor,” said the IAEA report, which was dated Friday.
“The DPRK’s nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern,” the report said. “Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and the Radiochemical Laboratory are deeply troubling.
“The continuation of the DPRK’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable.”
“Yongbyon, a nuclear complex at the heart of North Korea’s nuclear programme,” is the location of the reactor, Reuters reported Monday.
“More plutonium could help North Korea make smaller nuclear weapons to fit on its ballistic missiles, said David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security,” the report said.
