DPRK ready to restart nuke facility

PANMUNJOM: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Friday it is making "thorough preparations" to restart its nuclear reactor, accusing the United States of failing to fulfill its obligations under an international disarmament-for-aid agreement.

It is the first time Pyongyang has confirmed it is reversing steps taken earlier to disable its nuclear program, although it had previously threatened to do so because of Washington's refusal to remove it from a US terrorism blacklist.

"We are making thorough preparations for restoration" of the Yongbyon nuclear complex, Hyun Hak-bong, deputy director-general of the DPRK's foreign affairs ministry, told reporters.