Most Popular
-
1
Dongduk Women’s University halts coeducation talks
-
2
Defense ministry denies special treatment for BTS’ V amid phone use allegations
-
3
Russia sent 'anti-air' missiles to Pyongyang, Yoon's aide says
-
4
OpenAI in talks with Samsung to power AI features, report says
-
5
Two jailed for forcing disabled teens into prostitution
-
6
South Korean military plans to launch new division for future warfare
-
7
Gold bars and cash bundles; authorities confiscate millions from tax dodgers
-
8
Kia EV9 GT marks world debut at LA Motor Show
-
9
Teen smoking, drinking decline, while mental health, dietary habits worsen
-
10
Trump picks ex-N. Korea policy official as his principal deputy national security adviser
US urges N. Korea to refrain from raising tensions after resumption of reactor operations
By KH디지털2Published : Jan. 31, 2017 - 09:18
The US State Department on Monday urged North Korea to refrain from escalating tensions after indications emerged of the communist nation resuming operations at its plutonium-producing nuclear reactor.
The North Korea-monitoring website 38 North has reported that recent satellite imagery showed the North restarting the 5-megawatt reactor at its Yongbyon nuclear complex after completing reprocessing spent fuel unloaded from the reactor.
The State Department declined to confirm the report, but urged restraint.
"We are not going to comment on matters of intelligence. We continue to call on North Korea to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments," Katina Adams, a State Department spokeswoman, told Yonhap News Agency.
The reactor has provided Pyongyang with weapons-grade plutonium that the regime used in its first three nuclear tests, in 2006, 2009 and 2013. The North conducted its fourth and fifth nuclear tests in January and September last year.
The restarting of the reactor has added to the already high tensions after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in his New Year's Day address that the country has entered the final stage of preparations to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile apparently capable of striking the US. (Yonhap)
