N. Korea Purchases Chemical Required for Reprocessing

North Korea has purchased chemical materials required for reprocessing the spent fuel rods at its radio-chemical lab in Yongbyon, reported the Kyodo News yesterday, citing its Washington source.

A US State Department official, according to the News, said that it was not sure whether Pyongyang has started reprocessing, but it purchased chemicals in preparation for reprocessing.

The bomb-grade plutonium is abstracted through chemical reaction occurring after breaking the fuel rods, which, in turn, requires a large volume of nitric acid. It is the chemical material used for sparking the reaction that Pyongyang reportedly purchased this time.

The source also confirmed that North Korea could make five to six nuclear bombs in six months, once it starts reprocessing. But the US official did not disclose exactly when and where Pyongyang made the purchase.

The United States showed a grave concern over the latest move by Pyongyang for reprocessing, and has been beefing up its intelligence activities over the Yongbyon nuclear facilities, reported Kyodo.

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