Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - North Korea has completed
a critical step in building a new nuclear reactor. Recent satellite images
analysed by experts said that North Korean experts have been able to place a
dome on a light water reactor at Yongbyon, said Allison Puccioni of Jane's Defence Weekly. But it may take
several more years before the site is fully operational.
The international community has been critical of this
new reactor and of Pyongyang's nuclear tests since 2008. Pushed by the late Kim
Jong-il, Pyongyang's nuclear programme has led the United States and South
Korea to end humanitarian aid to the Communist nation, already reeling from
famine, floods and policies of economic autarchy that are inappropriate for the
country.
For North Korea's Stalinist leaders, the new nuclear
reactor has civilian purposes. South Korean intelligence sources believe however
it can produce highly enriched uranium for weapons.
At present, ''The emplacement of the dome is a
significant development,'' Puccioni said. Now the reactor could be used to
produce plutonium or be converted for the purpose of enriching uranium, which is
needed to make nuclear weapons.
These developments appear to confirm that North Korea's
new leader Kim Jong-un plans to stay the militarist course set by his father.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Kim may visit Iran
on Sunday for the Non-Aligned Movement summit. Although the visit has not been
confirmed, if it did take place it would be a strong message for China, North
Korea's only big power friend.
