Second North Korean nuclear reactor appears to be operational, IAEA says


International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters is pictured in Vienna, Austria June 20, 2019. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo

VIENNA (Reuters) -A new reactor at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex appears to be operating for the first time, the U.N. nuclear watchdog and independent experts said on Thursday, which would mean an additional potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons.

North Korea has for years used spent fuel from a 5-megawatt nuclear reactor at Yongbyon to produce plutonium for its nuclear arsenal but a telltale discharge of warm water from a larger light-water reactor suggests it is coming online, too, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

New Zealand readies for further storm damage after floods kill one person
LA28 chief Wasserman is putting his talent agency up for sale after Maxwell revelations, WSJ reports
US military says it struck a vessel in Caribbean, killing three
UK PM Starmer urges closer collaboration with Europe on defence
Japan's Totsuka wins men's snowboard halfpipe, five-time Olympian James settles for silver again
Sweden remains unbeaten in women's curling as Canada, Switzerland lead men's table
Peru Congress to debate motion to remove President Jeri amid scandal
U.S. stocks close mixed
Tajikistan's public debt stands at 3.5 bln USD as of Jan. 1
Crude futures settle higher

Others Also Read