This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34254634
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
North Korea Yongbyon nuclear site 'in operation' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
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. |
Experts believe that if re-started, the reactor could potentially make one bomb's worth of plutonium per year. | |
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. |