North Korea vows to 'weaponise' plutonium
North Korea today vowed to restart its uranium enrichment program and “weaponise” all the plutonium in its possession.
The warning – from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry – came hours after the UN Security Council approved tough new sanctions on the North to punish it for its latest nuclear test on May 25.
It also threatened to take “resolute military action” if the US or its allies try to impose any “blockade” on it.
It did not elaborate if the blockade refers to an attempt to stop its ships or impose sanctions.
North Korea also said it would not abandon its nuclear programs, saying it was an inevitable decision to defend itself from what it says is a hostile US policy and its nuclear threat against the North.
North Korea describes its nuclear program as a deterrent against possible US attacks. Washington says it has no intention of attacking and has expressed fear that North Korea is trying to sell its nuclear technology to other nations.
The statement came hours after the UN Security Council approved tough new sanctions on North Korea to punish it for its latest nuclear test on May 25.
The UN resolution imposes new sanctions on the reclusive communist nation’s weapons exports and financial dealings, and allows inspections of suspect cargo in ports and on the high seas.
The South Korean government said it “welcomes and supports the unanimous adoption of the resolution.”
A Foreign Ministry statement said it showed the council’s unequivocal intention to stop the North’s nuclear program and its proliferation.
Washington has decided it will not react to whatever new action Pyongyang takes, such as another nuclear test, officials said.
“We’re not going to jump to their drummer,” Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations, said. “We’re going to implement this sanctions regime to the fullest possible extent.”
If a ship refuses to be either boarded in international waters for inspection or diverted to a port, Ms Rice said, US officials “will take all necessary action” to publicise its ownership, what it is thought to be carrying and other information.
The goal, she said, was “to shine a spotlight on it” and make it more difficult for countries to help the ship complete its journey, such as by refuelling.
Ms Rice also said the US would “ramp up and intensify” its efforts to find out about suspect ships, but she would not discuss any new deployment of US military resources to do so.
