N. Korea Says It's Done With Nuke Talks

UN's 'unbearable insult' sparks threat to re-start plutonium production

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2009 4:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – North Korea has vowed to never again take part in talks over its nuclear program after the "unbearable insult" of the UN Security Council's condemnation of its rocket launch, the BBC reports. A strongly worded statement from the country's foreign ministry also threatened to reactivate its partially dismantled nuclear reactor and resume producing plutonium.

North Korea said it would push to "strengthen its nuclear deterrent for its defense by all means." Russia called for North Korea to return to the talks—which first stalled after investigators were unable to verify the nuclear plant at Yongbyon had been shut down—while China urged "calm and restraint from both sides."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

North Koreans attend a mass rally at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Friday, April 10, 2009 to celebrate the re-election of Kim Jong Il as chairman of the National Defence Commission. (AP Photo/APTN)

A South Korean man walks by an effigy of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and mock North Korean rockets during a rally against the North's rocket launch in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

This is not bluster. It’s pretty clear the North Korean generals are firmly in the saddle and have convinced Kim Jong Il that his best option is to first play his military card.
- Kenneth Quinones, former US State Department director of North Korean affairs

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

White Grandfather Cuffed for Walking With Black Granddaughter (NewsOne)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Help! I'm Having an Incestuous Relationship With My Twin (Slate)

Proof that Twitter Users are Sexier Than Facebook Users? (GeekSugar)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 3 of 3 comments

bacimom

Apr 16, 2009 4:16 AM CDT

Anyone remember the Mouse that Roared? Nor that they're not nuts but... 1. They are starving and their infrastructure for everyman is falling apart 2. Gee, it worked with Saddam, thumb your nose and let posturing result in invasion resulting in the Invader getting stuck with taking care of your people and rebuilding your country... (well maybe not rebuilding, at least in Iraq) What have they got to lose?

Newser001

Apr 14, 2009 6:10 AM CDT

They were never in talks... It's only a shel game for them. Spend billions on militarization, ploy international funding, food and fuel, allow their own people to starve to death, never recognize the South as a valid entity... They live in Neverland. I say no more. You can't negotiate, bribe a nation who are not mature enough to do so... Just their name is enough to balk at; the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK); Its a joke, right?!! Explain the democratic aspect?!! The whole situation is analogous to 'Charlie and The Chocolate Factory' gone wild... Instead of creating delectable tidbits, they create nuclear and ballistic weapons of mass destruction to market globally; Who will get the Golden Ticket(s)?

Observer

Apr 14, 2009 1:45 AM CDT

Toast these freaks.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds Major Cash Inside

Study Finds Arsenic in Baby Formula, Cereal Bars

BBC (Source Grid »)
Bloomberg (Source Grid »)

N. Korea threatens to resume plutonium production
Los Angeles Times

Security Council unites to condemn N. Korean launch
Financial Times (UK)

World

North Korea • United Nations • nuclear weapons • Yongbyon • missile • six party talks • UN Security Council

More Newser Stories

Obama-Led Security Council OKs Nuke Resolution

US-drafted measure strengthened by Obama appearance at meeting

(NEWSER) - The UN Security Council today adopted a US-drafted resolution that outlines much of President Obama’s plan to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The president’s attendance at the meeting of heads of state—just the fifth in UN history—underscores the centrality of the issue for his administration. Though the measure passed unanimously, the US was not able to convince Russia and China to include Iran and North Korea by name, notes the Washington Post. More»

UN Pressure Is 'Declaration of War': N. Korea

Outrage over rocket launch makes conflict 'a matter of time'

(NEWSER) - North Korea will consider pressure from Western nations over its recent rocket launch to be a "declaration of war," Pyongyang said today. The nation is already increasing its "defense capability including nuclear deterrent in every way" due to US and UN criticism of the launch, which North Korea says put a communications satellite into orbit. Washington says the rocket's payload never got that far, CNN reports. More»

UN Condemns N. Korea's Rocket Launch

Statement demands end to nuclear program, proposes more sanctions

(NEWSER) - A week after North Korea's rocket launch, the UN Security Council today condemned the action, demanding an end to missile tests and vowing to expand sanctions against the reclusive nation. The statement, agreed upon by all 15 members and read at a formal meeting of the UN's most powerful body, said the launch violated a council resolution adopted after the North conducted a nuclear test explosion in 2006 that banned any missile tests by the country. More»

UN Powers Agree to Slam N. Korean Rocket Launch

But critics question if pact is legally binding

(AP) - Key Security Council nations reached an agreement today on a statement that would condemn North Korea's rocket launch and toughen UN sanctions against it. The US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Japan approved the pact after Tokyo backed down from a demand for a new resolution, which is the strongest response the Security Council can give. More»

Syria Tried Making Nuclear Weapons: UN

New report paves way for security council action

(NEWSER) - Syria “very likely” had a secret nuclear weapons program, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency report released yesterday, which concludes that the Dair Alzour site Israel bombed in 2007 was almost certainly an under-construction nuclear reactor. The allegations themselves are old news—US intelligence agencies presented evidence of them in 2008—but the report could provide grounds for UN Security Council measures against Syria, the LA Times reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

N. Korea Says It's Done With Nuke Talks