The finding adds another challenge to Biden administration's plan for denuclearization of North Korea. The apparent restart of the reactor is noteworthy given that Pyongyang's negotiations with Pyongyang over its nuclear program have stalled since 2019, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to dismantle the sprawling Yongbyon complex — but not other nuclear and missile sites — in exchange for extensive sanctions relief.
Although Yongbyon is not the only site where Pyongyang has produced highly enriched uranium, its role at the heart of north Korea's nuclear ambitions made the facility a bargaining chip in prior negotiations. In 2008, North Korea blew up the reactor's cooling tower in a ceremoniously made-for TV event amid nuclear talks between the United States and Kim Jong Il.
After July restart of the 5 - megawatt reactor, a steam plant at a radiochemical laboratory was in operation for five months in mid-February, according to the report. This stood out because the duration is consistent with the time required to process a full batch of fuel from the reactor and much longer than is needed for maintenance or waste management, the report said.
'This report reiterates the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy so that we can achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We continue to seek dialogue with the DPRK so we can address this reported activity and the full range of issues related to denuclearization, the official said in a statement.
Since 2009, the inspectors have not had access to North Korea. The agency has been using open source information, satellite imagery and other materials to monitor developments.
Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, Calif. said : While other open source analysts have made the same observations, the IAEA's report highlights the ways in which North Korea's nuclear program has continued even in the absence of weapons testing. In July, both North Korea and South Korea agreed to restore a key communication hotline with North Korea to improve cross-border ties. Fortunately, North Korea held joint military exercises with each other following the announcement of such calls on the hotline as North Korea and South Korea remained unresponsive to them.
'Based on this, we will continue to make permanent efforts for the peace and complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and development of inter-Korean relations, Lee said. 'However, we do not have anything to confirm concerning intelligence matters including signs of North Korea's nuclear activity.