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North Korea Yongbyon nuclear site 'in full operation' North Korea Yongbyon nuclear site 'in operation'
(35 minutes later)
North Korea says its main nuclear facility, Yongbyon complex, is now in "full operation". North Korea says its main nuclear facility, the Yongbyon complex, has resumed normal operations.
The country was improving its nuclear weapons "in quality and quantity", state-run news agency KCNA reported.The country was improving its nuclear weapons "in quality and quantity", state-run news agency KCNA reported.
Yongbyon's reactor was shut down in 2007 but Pyongyang vowed to restart it in 2013, following its third nuclear test and amid high regional tensions.Yongbyon's reactor was shut down in 2007 but Pyongyang vowed to restart it in 2013, following its third nuclear test and amid high regional tensions.
The reactor has been the source of plutonium for North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.The reactor has been the source of plutonium for North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.
Six-nation talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programme have been stalled since early 2009. Experts believe that if re-started, the reactor could potentially make one bomb's worth of plutonium per year.
The North was ready to face US hostility with "nuclear weapons any time", KCNA said on Tuesday. The announcement is the first official confirmation from North Korea that it has restarted operations at Yongbyon.
However, a US think-tank said earlier this year that satellite images suggested that work had commenced at the plant.
Rocket launch plans
KCNA also said on Tuesday that the North was ready to face US hostility with "nuclear weapons any time".
However, the full scope of North Korea's nuclear capabilities is unclear.However, the full scope of North Korea's nuclear capabilities is unclear.
Pyongyang claims it has made a device small enough to fit a nuclear warhead on to a missile, which it could launch at its enemies.Pyongyang claims it has made a device small enough to fit a nuclear warhead on to a missile, which it could launch at its enemies.
However, US officials have cast doubt on this claim and experts say it is difficult to assess the progress North Korea has made on miniaturisation.However, US officials have cast doubt on this claim and experts say it is difficult to assess the progress North Korea has made on miniaturisation.
Yongbyon nuclear complex
The news comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party on 10 October, which North Korea is planning to mark with a parade.
Pyongyang has also announced plans to launch a long-range rocket carrying a satellite - something outsiders have described as a military rocket test.
Correspondents say the latest announcements do not mean the North has long-range missile capabilities - but do show that Pyongyang has ambitions to achieve this.