North Korea Operating New Reactor, Potentially Producing Plutonium

U.N.'s Nuclear Watchdog Observes Increased Activity, Calls for Compliance with Security Council Resolutions

North Korea is operating a new reactor in its main nuclear complex, potentially producing plutonium, an element used to make nuclear weapons, according to the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has observed increased levels of activity at the Light Water Reactor (LWR) at North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center since mid-October.
The IAEA also observed a “strong” outflow of warm water from the reactor's cooling system, indicating that the reactor “has reached criticality”—the point when a nuclear reactor can sustain a chain reaction.
Despite its observations, the IAEA does not have access to the facility, and therefore cannot confirm if the LWR is operating or assess if it is safe.
The IAEA is calling on North Korea to comply with its obligations under the Security Council resolutions, which discourage its development of nuclear weapons.