February 26, 2003

U.S.: N. Korea Reactivated Nuclear Reactor

North Korea has reactivated a nuclear reactor, U.S. officials said Wednesday, in what could be a first step toward production of additional nuclear weapons.

U.S. intelligence officials said a telltale plume was spotted at the reactor shortly after Secretary of State Colin Powell said Pyongyang had made "a wise choice if it's a conscious choice" not to restart the reactor.

Powell was airborne over the Pacific at the time, heading home Tuesday after a visit to South Korea.

[...]
Japan, too, was trying to independently confirm the report. "If true, it is extremely regrettable, particularly when we are asking [North Korea] to put things back to where they were," said chief Cabinet spokesman Yasuo Fukuda.

The disclosure of the new activity came a day after the installation of South Korea's new president, Roh Moo-hyun. Goh took office Thursday.

Powell attended Roh's inauguration and announced afterward that the United States was donating 40,000 metric tons of food to North Korea, with an additional 60,000 metric tons later in the year.

The administration has consistently said that food assistance for North Korea would not be affected by political considerations. Powell blamed continued hunger in North Korea on Pyongyang's guns-over-butter policies.
I'm sure that the NorKs are mad because SoS Powell didn't try to stop by Pyongyang for a visit.
How rude!
So this was payback, in their minds, I suppose.
I wouldn't taunt the Japanese too much more.
Their "it is regrettable" reaction indicates that they're thinking seriously about going nuclear themselves to contain the NorKs' threat to them.
Who knows what the Chicoms are thinking?
For their part, the Aussies are showing unfeigned interest in joining America's SDI program:
Australia eyes US Star Wars defence
Most wise, as we're coming to expect policies from Down Under to be these days!