Researcher: North Korea Has `Weaponized' Plutonium

A 2002 satellite image of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor in North Korea.
Photograph: AP/Space Imaging Asia

From Yahoo News/AP:

BEIJING – North Korea has hardened its stance on disarmament, saying it has "weaponized" plutonium into warheads, but hopes for better ties with U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, a U.S. researcher who visited the North said Saturday.

Officials say the weapons cannot be inspected and Pyongyang might keep them even if it normalizes relations with Washington, said Selig Harrison, director of the Washington-based Center for International Policy's Asia program. Harrison said he met this week with the North's nuclear envoy, Ri Gun, and other officials.

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Update: North Korea Has Plutonium Ready For Up To Five Nuclear Bombs, Reports Claim -- The Guardian

My Comment: The sign of things to come for the Obama administration.