South Korea admits nuclear experiments

Officials in South Korea have told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that government scientists conducted nuclear experiments to enrich uranium four years ago. The enrichment was "very close" to the threshold for bomb-grade uranium, a Vienna-based diplomat close to the IAEA said. "It was well beyond the level that would be needed for a civilian programme. The government says its programme is peaceful and the IAEA is not making any judgments on that issue." Seoul said it learnt of the tests, which took place at a nuclear site in South Korea in January and February 2000, while drawing up its first report to the IAEA for submission this month. The experiments are said to have been part of research in producing nuclear fuel in the country. [more ]

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