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Seoul Discounts NK Reprocessing Claim

2003-07-15

South Korean diplomats and scientists are skeptical of a report that North Korea has completed reprocessing spent nuclear reactor fuel rods into weapons-grade plutonium, a main component for atomic bombs.

Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kown said on Monday (July 14) that there is not sufficient scientific evidence to prove the North has either started reprocessing the rods or completed the work.

"South Korea and the United States are trying to secure related data though various cannels, but the evidence has not shown up yet," Yoon said during an interview with a local radio program.

The minister said he was aware of a report that the North had formally notified Washington of its completion of reprocessing spent reactor fuel rods.

It was revealed Sunday that the North's ambassador to the United Nations, Park Gil-yon, met Jack Pritchard, the U.S. special envoy on the North, in New York on July 8 and claimed his communist country has finished reprocessing some 8,000 spent fuel rods in storage.

Professor Kang Chang-sun from Seoul National University expressed a negative view over the North's claim. "It is very suspicious that the North has completed the reprocessing in such a limited time," he said.

The nuclear physics professor admitted the North may have reprocessed a portion of the rods but "not all 8,000 units."

According to the news report, the U.S. detected krypton-85 gas in the vicinity of the Yeongbyeon nuclear plant, which suggests reprocessing of the material is underway at the facility.

"Even if the North defies all probability and has processed all the rods, the amount of plutonium produced would be no more than 24 kilograms, barely enough to make four bombs considering their technology level," Kang said.

News reports state the North may have processed enough plutonium to manufacture four to six nuclear bombs.

However, Kang said his estimate is based only on given data and is open to change.

The reprocessing has been considered a "red line" that the North should not cross in the standoff over its nuclear weapons program.

Washington supports a peaceful resolution of the situation but has not ruled out the use of force, including sanctions. The North says sanctions would trigger a war.

Source : www.korea.net