Posted on 05/11/2005 2:42:43 AM PDT by HAL9000
North Korea said Wednesday it had completed removing spent nuclear fuel rods from a reactor at its main nuclear complex.A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said they had "successfully completed" removing 8,000 fuel rods from the reactor at Yongbyon, in a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
Removing the rods would allow the North to reprocess them to extract weapons-grade plutonium. But the North didn't say Wednesday it would take such a step.
N.K. completes retrieval of fuel rods from Yongbyon plant
PYONGYANG, May 11 (KCNA-Yonhap) -- North Korea has completed the retrieval of thousands of spent nuclear fuel rods from its Yongbyon nuclear power plant, a spokesman for North Korea's foreign ministry said Wednesday.
"We've recently completed the process to withdraw 8,000 spent fuel rods from the 5-megawatt experimental nuclear power plant in a successful manner in the shortest time," the spokesman said in response to a question raised by a reporter of the North's official Central Korean News Agency (KCNA).
North Korea will be able to make several nuclear bombs from the plutonium that can be extracted from the approximately 8,000 spent fuel rods, according to nuclear experts.
The announcement comes amid reports North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test and Washington is considering launching a preemptive attack on the North's Yongbyon nuclear plant.
The spokesman reminded that North Korea had announced in December 2002 it will resume operation of the 5-megawatt nuclear plant which it had previously frozen under the agreed framework with the United States because of the Bush administration's cancellation of the agreement.
The spokesman also said North Korea had resumed construction on its 50-megawatt and 200-megawatt nuclear plants in December 2002.
"We are taking measures to enhance our nuclear arsenal to cope with the political atmosphere out of defense purpose," he said.
ping
Yeah, they will loudly advertise every step they take to get the end product, weapon's grade plutonium. A charming bunch of folks! So outgoing!:-)
Ping!
Last night the NYTimes cable/history channel ran several programs about NK. Ex-ambassador Holbrooke (Clinton's ambassador to the UN), pontificated about his 'successful' treaty with NK, giving them nuclear expertise for a promise of only peaceful intentions. But that nasty Bush administration came in and spoiled everything. Now NK is mad at us, building nukes/planning to sell nukes to terrorists, and it's Bush's fault. No balance, no spokesman for the Bush admin. Just Holbrooke and some NK foreign ambassador/functionary foaming at the mouth.
North Korea raises nuclear stakes
North Korea says it has taken steps to "increase its nuclear arsenal". Nuclear fuel rods have been removed from a reactor at Yongbyon, according to a North Korean foreign ministry statement carried by KCNA news agency.
Removing the rods would allow them to be reprocessed in order to produce weapons-grade plutonium.
The statement comes amid an escalating stand-off between North Korea and the US, after reports that Pyongyang may be preparing a nuclear test.
"We have been taking steps necessary to increase our nuclear arsenal for defence purposes," the KCNA report said.
South Korea reported last month that the North appeared to have shut its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, leading to fears that this was in order to remove spent fuel rods.
The BBC's correspondent in Seoul, Charles Scanlon, says this latest announcement will be seen by the US as more provocation.
North Korea has not taken part in international disarmament talks since last June, and recent satellite images are reported to suggest possible preparations for a nuclear test in North Korea's remote north-east.
There is a sense in the region that once again tensions are coming to the boil, says our correspondent.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said at the weekend that North Korea already has enough weapons-grade plutonium for five or six nuclear weapons.
Pyongyang has repeatedly said that it is determined to increase its nuclear arsenal to counter what it sees as US aggression.
Yeah, they will loudly advertise every step they take to get the end product, weapon's grade plutonium.It would be cute if their first bomb, if they ever finish one, "accidentally" blew up...
A South Korean protester participates in an anti-U.S. rally opposing the United States' policy against North Korea near the U.S. embassy in Seoul, Tuesday, May 10, 2005. North Korea accused the United States on Tuesday of making a 'fuss' by notifying allies of its possible preparations for a nuclear test, and maintained it would stay away from international disarmament talks.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
She should be hiding her face in shame.
This is so typical of Jung-il's openness and honesty. (</sarc.> not necessary)
He can't be trusted and demanded to immediately cease and desist. I'm tired of Kim threatening the world. Now I understand China's position in all of this, they should strike first.
What a pathetic, misled moron.
She deserves a week of eating nothing but tree bark. Then she will know how 'the other half' lives on her own damned peninsula.
After doing her duty as progressive intellectual with anti-American protesting, she would soothe her exhausted "noble" mind, it is quite possible that she eats her pizza at Pizza Hut, her hamburger at Lotteria, and her Latte at Starbucks.
However, in all likelihood, she would love to come to U.S.. The pampered leftie twerp.
I went to a Pizza Hut restaurant next Seoul Station. The place was so crowded that there was no seat left. It was a big restaurant. 90% of guests were in their 20's. They do dig imperialist foods. They think it is such a fancy thing to eat there. I wanted to throw cold water on them, by pointing out how lame and unfashionable Pizza Hut is in U.S..
We could require all Pizza Huts around the world to arbitrarily post a portrait of President Bush in each of their restaurants. In several places; such as, near the register, and also inside. Watch their popularity drop with the South Korean Spoiled Generation.
I got ping North Korea news list on this
OHHH do it Little Kim see what world thinks
ROFL that so true about Pizza Hut they are lame
Best pizza is Papa John LOL!
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