US intelligence says North Korea has followed through on its threat to advance its nuclear weapons program.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that the North has expanded the size of its uranium enrichment facility at its Nyongbyon nuclear complex and restarted a plutonium reactor that was shut down in 2007.
Clapper’s written testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee concurs with the assessments of think tanks that monitor North Korea’s nuclear program using commercial satellite imagery.
South Korean intelligence also says the reactor has restarted.
North Korea announced its intention to “adjust and alter” its existing nuclear facilities after an atomic test explosion last February, backtracking from denuclearisation commitments.
Mr Clapper said the North has taken initial steps toward fielding a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile although it remains untested.
