DPRK reprocesses spent fuel rods

The DPRK completed reprocessing spent fuel rods in August at its Yongbyon nuclear plant. It says extracting weapon-grade plutonium, bolsters its nuclear deterrent.

Local media, report the reprocessing was to restore the Yongbyon nuclear facilities to their original state. It calls this a response to the UN sanctions against the country for a nuclear test in May.

The DPRK shut down Yongbyon in 2007 under a six-nation nuclear disarmament deal. In April, it quit the six-party talks and announced it was resuming the reprocessing.

Pyongyang expressed willingness to return to the six-party talks, but only if it holds talks with Washington first.

Satellite image of Yongbyon, North Korea released by DigitalGlobe  on May 26, 2009. The DPRK completed reprocessing spent fuel rods  in August at its Yongbyon nuclear plant. It says extracting  weapon-grade plutonium, bolsters its nuclear deterrent. (REUTERS/DigitalGlobe/Handout/Files)