Edition

North Korea Resumes Work on Nuclear Reactor

IN THIS ISSUE: N. Korea resumes work on nuclear reactor, Iran, IAEA in 'good exchange,' India to test Akash missile defence system this week, US adopts changes to nuclear emergency planning, Obama could block bill over New START restrictions, overcoming the stigma of cooperative missile defense.

Published on May 17, 2012
Survey: Please take a few moments to complete our online survey. We highly value your opinion and your responses will help shape future changes to the newsletter. Click here to participate.
 

North Korea Resumes Work on Nuclear Reactor, Group Says

Hoe Sang-Hun | New York Times

Kim Jong Un

North Korea has resumed construction of a nuclear reactor that can be used to expand the country's nuclear weapons program, an American-based institute said Thursday, citing the latest satellite imagery of the building site.

Last November, North Korea reported brisk progress in the building of a small light water reactor in its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon north of Pyongyang, its capital.

If completed and operational, the plant would give North Korea a new source of spent nuclear fuel from which plutonium, a fuel for nuclear weapons, can be extracted. Full Article

Related:
China Pushes North Korea to Drop Nuclear Test Plan (Kang Lim, Reuters)



Follow the Nuclear Policy Program
 RSS News Feed Facebook Twitter
Footer information begins here
More from Proliferation News


 
 
Simon Sturdee | AFP
Talks between the UN atomic agency and Iran saw a "good exchange of views" and will resume on Monday, two days before world powers meet Tehran representatives in Baghdad, the watchdog's chief inspector said.     Full Article

Sahil | Indian Defence
According to the Indian armed forces, the Akash surface-to-air missile will be tested this Sunday, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Orissa. During the test, which is estimated to take place this Sunday, a Pilot-less Target Aircraft (PTA) will be intercepted and destroyed by the missile launched from a wheeled platform.     Full Article

Associated Press
The U.S. government has adopted the first set of comprehensive changes in the emergency planning program for communities near nuclear power plants since its creation after the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.     Full Article

Global Security Newswire
The fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill being considered in the House of Representatives could face rejection by President Obama if it retains language restricting implementation of a bilateral nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, the White House warned on Tuesday.     Full Article

James F. Collins | Carnegie commentary
North Korea's recent missile test, although a failure, was a salutary reminder of the dangers of missile proliferation. A hostile state armed with a weapon of mass destruction and a missile delivery system is a matter of concern to governments everywhere.     Full Article
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.