North Korea's reported use of a nuclear complex reactor might be an attempt to make bomb fuels

The U.N. atomic agency and outside experts say North Korea may have started operating a light-water reactor at its main nuclear complex in a possible attempt to establish a new facility to produce bomb fuels

SEOUL, South Korea -- SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea may have started operating a light-water reactor at its main nuclear complex in a possible attempt to establish a new facility to produce bomb fuels, the U.N. atomic agency and outside experts said.

If correct, the assessment would show that North Korea has taken a step to implement leader Kim Jong Un’s repeated vows to build more nuclear weapons in response to what he described as intensifying U.S.-led military threats.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has observed increased levels of activity at and near the light-water reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and since mid-October, a strong water outflow from its cooling system, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Thursday.

The observations were consistent with the commissioning of the reactor, Grossi said.

“The LWR, like any nuclear reactor, can produce plutonium in its irradiated fuel, which can be separated during reprocessing, so this is a cause for concern,” he said. “I repeat that the further development of (North Korea's) nuclear program, including the construction and operation of the LWR, is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable."