North Korea needs to allow inspectors back in to monitor its nuclear program: IAEA chief
- 5 years ago
The UN's nuclear watchdog says... it has reason to believe that North Korea is still operating its main nuclear site in Yeongbyeon.
However,... the head of the agency says... it needs to send inspectors into the North in order to verify their latest findings.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had access to North Korea and its nuclear sites since 2009, and has mainly monitored the regime's activities through satellite imagery.
But with reports saying North Korea may still be operating its main nuclear site in Yeongbyeon,... the IAEA chief says on-the-ground inspections are needed in order to confirm the reports.
"We have observed the fabrication of reactor components and possible transfer of these components into the reactor. But as we do not have the inspectors on the ground we cannot determine the nature or objective of these activities."
Speaking in Vienna on Thursday,... Amano reported on information the IAEA has been collecting since August.
He said components appear to have been brought into a light-water reactor being built at the Yeongbyeon nuclear facility, indicating activity at the site.
Other reports indicate North Korea has continued work at the nearby Kuryong River,... in order to increase the supply of water available for cooling the planned reactor,... or possibly an existing experimental reactor.
Amano reaffirmed the IAEA will do its part in making sure North Korea completely denuclearizes,... as long as everyone involved works together.
"The agency continues to enhance its readiness to play an essential role in verifying North Korea's nuclear program if a political agreement is reached among countries concerned."
Despite the recent stall in denuclearization talks,... Amano says IAEA inspectors continue to prepare for their possible re-admittance to the North.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
However,... the head of the agency says... it needs to send inspectors into the North in order to verify their latest findings.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had access to North Korea and its nuclear sites since 2009, and has mainly monitored the regime's activities through satellite imagery.
But with reports saying North Korea may still be operating its main nuclear site in Yeongbyeon,... the IAEA chief says on-the-ground inspections are needed in order to confirm the reports.
"We have observed the fabrication of reactor components and possible transfer of these components into the reactor. But as we do not have the inspectors on the ground we cannot determine the nature or objective of these activities."
Speaking in Vienna on Thursday,... Amano reported on information the IAEA has been collecting since August.
He said components appear to have been brought into a light-water reactor being built at the Yeongbyeon nuclear facility, indicating activity at the site.
Other reports indicate North Korea has continued work at the nearby Kuryong River,... in order to increase the supply of water available for cooling the planned reactor,... or possibly an existing experimental reactor.
Amano reaffirmed the IAEA will do its part in making sure North Korea completely denuclearizes,... as long as everyone involved works together.
"The agency continues to enhance its readiness to play an essential role in verifying North Korea's nuclear program if a political agreement is reached among countries concerned."
Despite the recent stall in denuclearization talks,... Amano says IAEA inspectors continue to prepare for their possible re-admittance to the North.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.