Posted on 06/28/2008 10:08:14 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
◆ N. Korea says used 2 kg of plutonium in 2006 nuke test: source
SEOUL, June 28 KYODO
North Korea's declaration of its nuclear programs that it submitted this week states that it extracted a total of around 30 kilograms of plutonium and used 2 kg in the nuclear test it conducted in October 2006, a six-party talks source said Saturday.
A nuclear weapon normally requires between 4 and 8 kg of plutonium. There is speculation that North Korea may have declared a smaller quantity to counter rumors that the 2006 nuclear test, which resulted in a relatively small explosion, was a failure by lending weight to its claims aboard of having the ability to develop small-scale nuclear weapons.
According to the source, in addition to the extracted plutonium, there also appears to have been approximately 8 kg of unextracted plutonium that was generated in used fuel rods. Moreover, if plutonium that was left over in equipment of its nuclear facilities is included, the total amount of extracted plutonium rises to 44 kg.
On Thursday, North Korea handed over the nuclear list to China, which hosts the six-way talks also involving South Korea, the United States, Japan and Russia, half a year after the original deadline under a six-nation agreement.
In return, the United States as promised started the process of removing North Korea from the terror blacklist and lifted sanctions against it under the Trading with Enemy Act.
North Korea is disabling its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon, about 90 kilometers north of its capital, under the six-way deal in return for energy aid and diplomatic benefits.
Pyongyang on Friday demolished a cooling tower attached to its key Yongbyon reactor, in a symbolic demonstration underscoring progress in the disablement of the site.
==Kyodo
Ping!
So they already have enough plutonium for several boom-booms.
You’ll notice, as others have pointed out, there is no mention of their parallel uranium program (”little boy” vs. “fat man”).
No knowing just how much they blew up in their “test” of ‘06. I’m firmly convinced it was an utter fizzle. The explosive initiator made a big bang but nuclear fission did not take place
We better not start sending them oil again....
Well, it’s “heavy fuel oil” basically sludge that is only good for burning for heat.
Yongbyon 50-MW(e) Reactor
yitbos
How about a little token of appreciation from the Kommies? Like returning some terrorist spoils:
USS Pueblo GER-2....still on the naval registry 40+ years later.....on display in Pyongyang
yitbos
Maybe that he wants invite to Crawford TX I just hope Bush keep eye on his dogs
Where's the ka-boom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering ka-boom.
Bump.
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