Northern Korean nuclear plant is 'a provocation', says US
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The US special envoy for North Korea said Pyongyang's claim of a new uranium enrichment facility is provocative and disappointing but not a crisis or a surprise. Washington, he vowed, will keep working with its regional partners in response.
Stephen Bosworth's comments after a meeting with Kim Sung-hwan, the South Korean Foreign Minister, came as the US and the North's neighbours assessed Pyongyang's revelation to a US nuclear scientist of a highly sophisticated modern enrichment operation with what the North says are 2,000 centrifuges.
"This is obviously a disappointing announcement. It is also another in a series of provocative moves," Mr Bosworth said. "That said, this is not a crisis. We are not surprised. We have been analysing the [North's] aspirations to produce enriched uranium."
Mr Kim also played down the facility, telling reporters: "It's nothing new."
The American scientist, Siegfried Hecker, reported that during a trip to the North's main Yongbyon atomic complex, he was taken to an industrial-scale uranium enrichment facility. US military officials warned it could speed up the North's ability to make and deliver viable nuclear weapons. South Korea's Defence Minister said Seoul will discuss the US moving nuclear weapons back into the country.
Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, said the facility could enable North Korea to build "a number" of nuclear devices beyond the handful it is presumed to have assembled.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments