U.N. nuclear watchdog: North Korea activity seen at Yongbyon

SEOUL, June 6 (UPI) — North Korea may have reopened a plant that reprocesses plutonium, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog stated there is satellite proof Pyongyang resumed operations at Yongbyon nuclear complex, Voice of America reported.

In early April two U.S. analysts noted an uptick in “suspicious activity,” according to satellite images taken in February and March.

Exhaust plumes were seen on a few occasions at the Radiochemical Laboratory’s Thermal Plant, Yongbyon’s main reprocessing installation for plutonium production, according to William Mugford and Joseph S. Bermudez.

IAEA chief Yukiya Amano said that despite the evidence, his organization still cannot be sure about North Korea’s nuclear activities.

“As we do not have inspectors on the ground we are only observing through satellite imagery. We cannot say for sure. But we have indications of certain activities through the satellite imagery,” Amano told reporters in Vienna.

James Clapper, the U.S. director of national intelligence, had said in February it wouldn’t be long before North Korea recovers plutonium from its nuclear facilities.

Clapper had told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence a plutonium production reactor closed in 2007 was in operation.

“It is deeply regrettable that [North Korea] has shown no indication that it is willing to comply with the Security Council resolution adopted in response to its nuclear test earlier this year,” Amano said Monday.

“I strongly urge [North Korea] to implement fully all relevant IAEA and Security Council resolutions. The agency remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the [North Korea] nuclear issue by resuming its verification activities once a political agreement is reached among countries concerned.”