Seoul, Feb 28: South Korea's foreign ministry confirmed today that North Korea has restarted a small reactor that could produce plutonium for atomic weapons. The United States and Japan had earlier confirmed that the 5-megawatt reactor had been reactivated. But South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun said earlier today his cabinet officials were still looking into the matter.
In a statement, the foreign ministry expressed "deep concern and regret over North Korea's reactivation of the 5-megawatt reactor."
US officials said Wednesday the reactor at the Yongby on nuclear complex had been reactivated in what could be a first step toward the production of nuclear weapons.
For weeks, there have been conflicting reports about whether it was up and running or not.
"We repeatedly urge North Korea to positively respond to the international community's efforts to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue and to implement obligations of the non proliferation treaty," the foreign ministry said.
"We are devoting active efforts to resolve North Korea's nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue," the statement said.
South Korea's delay in verifying the latest report demonstrates the difficulty the international community faces in monitoring nuclear activities in one of the world's most isolated countries. US intelligence officials cited a telltale steam plume rising from the reactor's cooling tower.
The reactivation could enable North Koreans to build a bomb in about a year, said the U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity. The United States believes North Korea already has one or two nuclear bombs. Bureau Report