DPRK begins reprocessing spent fuel rods

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 04-26-2009 11:05

The DPRK says it has begun reprocessing spent fuel rods in a pilot atomic power plant.

The DPRK's Foreign Ministry made the announcement hours after the UN imposed new sanctions on the country for its recent rocket launch.

Pak Tok Hun, DPRK Ambassador to UN, said, "It is inalienable rights of every nation and country to make peaceful use of outer space. That's why we totally reject and do not recognize any sorts of decision which has been made, or would be made, in the security council." (CCTV.com)

A DPRK official said on Saturday that the country has restarted its nuclear facilities to harvest weapons-grade plutonium.

The DPRK says the reprocessing will help bolster nuclear deterrence for self-defense to cope with increasing military threats from hostile forces.

Earlier in the day, the UN sanctions committee announced it was targeting three major DPRK companies for new sanctions, alleging they had links to the country's military activities.