North Korea appears to have restarted a plutonium production reactor in Yongbyon, which has been idle since December 2018. Wall Street Journal Report.
The International Atomic Energy Agency stated in an annual report that the reactor appeared to have restarted in July.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the report said: “Since early July, there have been signs that, including the discharge of cooling water, it is consistent with the operation of the reactor.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that the report stated that the agency found that the plant’s activities were “deeply disturbing,” and there were signs that a nearby laboratory was being used to extract spent fuel from the reactor. Separate the plutonium.
North Korea deported the agency’s inspectors in 2009.
Gary Samer, director of the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University, told the Wall Street Journal that the restart of the Yongbyon reactor seemed to indicate that the country was strengthening its nuclear weapons program.
Earlier this month, Kim Yo-jung, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Threatened to strengthen the country’s military In response to the US-South Korea joint military exercise.
She said in a statement: “The dangerous military exercises carried out by the United States and South Korea despite our repeated warnings will inevitably expose them to more serious security threats.” statement.
In May, after US President Joe Biden said about North Korea and Iran’s nuclear programs, the country also issued a warning to him. “A serious threat to the security of the United States and the security of the world.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration stated that its policy towards North Korea is to seek diplomatic channels and hold talks. In March, it was revealed that the government had Many attempts have been made to contact the North Korean regime, but have been ignored.
Former U.S. State Department official Joel Witt told The Wall Street Journal that the reopening of the Yongbyon reactor shows that “North Korea’s nuclear weapons program cannot be ignored, and the Biden administration needs to put it at a higher priority.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency did not respond to Insider’s request for comment.
