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DPRK light water reactor construction under way

Xinhua, November 30, 2011

• The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Wednesday that its nuclear activities related to the construction of an experimental light water reactor (LWR) and the production of low enriched uranium are underway, the official news agency KCNA reported.

  But the nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, it said, citing a statement by a Foreign Ministry spokesman.

  "The construction of experimental LWR and the low enriched uranium for the provision of raw materials are progressing apace in reliance on solid foundation of the self-supporting national economy and the country's latest science and technologies making leaping progress," the statement said.

  It reiterated that the peaceful use of nuclear energy is the legitimate right of a sovereign state recognized by international law. It also serves as the only way for solving the acute electricity problem in the DPRK as it has vast nuclear energy resources.

  "The DPRK made up its mind to build its own light water reactor according to its economic development strategy given that there was no prospect for getting LWRs whose delivery was promised from outside." it said.

  Other countries should have nothing to fear about the country's nuclear program as it is for peaceful purposes and geared to the production of electricity, it added.

  "Any concerns that may arise may be discussed at the six-party talks and it can convince the world of the peaceful nature of those activities through the International Atomic Energy Agency," it said.

  The six-party talks, aiming to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, brought together representatives from China, the DPRK, South Korea, Japan, the United States and Russia. They were launched in 2003, but became bogged down in December 2008.

  The statement also blamed the United States for the stalled six-party talks, saying Washington attempts to encroach upon the DPRK's sovereignty and deter the DPRK from making peaceful nuclear development while defaulting on its commitments and duties.

  "The DPRK is ready to resume the six-party talks without preconditions," the statement reaffirmed.

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