U.S. scolds North Korea on Yongbyon nuclear reactor

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Source: Reuters

U.S. scolds North Korea on Yongbyon nuclear reactor

By Paul Eckert
WASHINGTON | Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:23pm EDT

(Reuters) - The United States scolded North Korea on Thursday over reports indicating the reclusive nation has restarted a plutonium-producing nuclear reactor, emphasizing that such a move would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

U.S. officials in Washington and traveling in Asia, however, stopped short of confirming reports by two U.S. think tanks that steam rising over North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex indicated a reactor that was moth balled in 2007 was back in operation.

"Suffice to say, if it was true, it would be a violation of the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and, of course, contrary to North Korea's commitments under its September 19, 2005, joint statement," said State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf.

Harf, who like other U.S. officials refused to discuss intelligence on the matter, was referring to a 2005 agreement signed by North Korea, four neighbors and the United States in which Pyongyang pledged to scrap its nuclear program in exchange for economic and energy aid. That deal unraveled in 2008.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/12/us-korea-north-nuclear-usa-idUSBRE98B18P20130912

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1. U.S. scolds North Korea on Yongbyon nuclear reactor

The U.S. is carrying the weight of monitoring North Korea's playing with its plutonium-producing nuclear reactor, which seems to be back in operation after having been mothballed in 2007.

if it was true, it would be a violation of the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and, of course, contrary to North Korea's commitments under its September 19, 2005, joint statement.

North Korea's notorious intent on hiding their prohibited nuclear activities requires dedicated monitoring. North Koreans do not excel in honouring their commitments.