Second North Korea Nuclear Reactor Active

A second North Korean nuclear reactor may have reached “criticality”, the world’s atomic watchdog has warned, amid rising concerns it could be used to produce weapons-grade fuel.

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has observed increased activity and a strong water outflow from the light water reactor’s cooling system since mid-October.

The developments indicate the reactor at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex (LWR), the reclusive state’s main facility of its kind, is operational and has become a second potential source of plutonium for its nuclear warheads.       READ MORE...


Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA director-general, said the discharge of warm water is “indicative the reactor has reached criticality”, meaning its nuclear chain reaction is self-sustaining

But he added the agency could not confirm its operational status without direct access.