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N. Korea Opens Nuke Plant to Foreign Media

Controversial Yongbyon facility at core of disarmament talks

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Feb 23, 2008 7:52 AM CST
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(Newser) – North Korea opened its controversial Yongbyon nuclear reactor to the foreign media yesterday, the first time the 5-megawatt plant at the core of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and the target of international disarmament talks has been seen by journalists,  ABC News reports. The visit seemed to be a sign the Communist government wants a disarmament-for-aid deal to proceed.

Journalists watched as workers in protective gear removed spent fuel rods from the reactor, a key to the deal with the US, Japan, China, Russia, and South Korea. The government has closed the Yongbyon cooling tower, effectively shutting down the reactor. Experts say the Koreans have created enough plutonium for a dozen bombs and exported weapons technology to Syria.

In this image from television North Korean workers in the reactor hall clean the floor at North Korea's main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. North Korea opened its main nuclear reactor to foreign media for the first time Friday in a bid to show that it is...
In this image from television North Korean workers in the reactor hall clean the floor at North Korea's main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. North Korea opened its main nuclear reactor...   (Associated Press)
In this image from television North Korean workers operate equipment at North Korea's main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. North Korea opened its main nuclear reactor to foreign media for the first time Friday in a bid to show that it is complying with a disarmament accord...
In this image from television North Korean workers operate equipment at North Korea's main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. North Korea opened its main nuclear reactor to foreign media...   (Associated Press)
In this image from television, foreign reporters and workers in protective gear are seen at North Korea's main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. North Korea opened its main nuclear reactor to foreign media for the first time Friday in a bid to show that it is complying...
In this image from television, foreign reporters and workers in protective gear are seen at North Korea's main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. North Korea opened its main nuclear reactor...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by U.S. researchers who visited North Korea, the cooling tower of a 5 Megawatt nuclear reactor is seen at the Yongbyon Nuclear Center in North Korea Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008. North Korea wants promised energy aid and removal from U.S. terrorism and sanctions blacklists...
In this photo released by U.S. researchers who visited North Korea, the cooling tower of a 5 Megawatt nuclear reactor is seen at the Yongbyon Nuclear Center in North Korea Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008. North...   (Associated Press)
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North Korea opens plant to foreign media
Associated Press

North Korea wants to resume talks
Associated Press

 
North Korea • nuclear power • Yongbyon • nuclear program • nuclear power plant

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