N. Korea's main nuclear plant re-starts operations, S. Korean gov't to monitor with serious concern

정부, 북 플루토늄 재처리 "우려 가지고 주시" North Korea appears to have restarted production of plutonium fuel... a clear sign that it plans to pursue its nuclear weapons program in defiance of international sanctions. South Korea is closely watching movements at the North's nuclear facility "with grave concern" Hwang Hojun reports. Economic sanctions and worldwide criticism don't appear to be enough to counter North Korea's craving for nuclear power. The South Korean government responded to the recent news on North Korea operating its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon, but said that Pyongyang's continued efforts to produce plutonium is no news. "The government is watching the relevant movements closely with serious concern. We are also closely cooperating with the U.S. government on all related matters." This comes a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that recent satellite imagery indicates North Korea has likely resumed activity at its main Yongbyon plant, located about 90 km north of Pyongyang. On Tuesday local time, a senior U.S. State Department official confirmed that North Korea has indeed restarted reprocessing spent nuclear fuel to harvest plutonium. The State Department official, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Reuters that Washington is concerned about the North's latest activities. If North Korea has restarted reprocessing activity, it would violate the existing international sanctions it is under. Also reacting to the news, China reiterated its stance on pursuing denuclerization and stability within the Korean Peninsula. "We hope all parties can work hard together to put the nuclear issue back on the track of dialogue and negotiations." The Yongbyon facility has long been the source of plutonium for North Korea's nuclear weapons program. It was shut down in 2007, but Pyongyang vowed to reactivate all its nuclear facilities in 2013 and announced Yongbyon was fully operational in 2015. The communist state has conducted two nuclear tests since 2013, including what it claims was an H-bomb test in January this year, with the goal of improving the quality and quantity of its nuclear weapons program. North Korea's clear defiance of UN Security Council's resolutions is likely to incur even stronger international actions against the regime. Hwang Hojun, Arirang News. Visit ‘Arirang News’ Official Pages Facebook(NEWS):   / newsarirang   Homepage: http://www.arirang.com Facebook:   / arirangtv   Twitter:   / arirangworld   Instagram:   / arirangworld