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DPRK reduces activity at nuclear facilities

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-15 22:39

MOSCOW - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has reduced activity at its nuclear facilities, Russian media reported on Monday.

"Data currently available, including satellite surveillance data, indicate that the intensity of movement in the area of the nuclear facilities has declined in the last few days," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted an unnamed source with the Russian General Staff as saying.

Related readings:  Pyongyang: Japan uses DPRK to beef up defense  DPRK warns of nuclear war amid tensions  S.Korea regrets on DPRK's nuclear pursuit  DPRK opposes UN resolution, vows to pursue more nuclear weapons  UN Security Council imposes new curbs on DPRK

"This means the North Koreans have either completed preparations for another underground test or opted for a pause," the source said.

One the same day, the Itar-Tass news agency quoted an unnamed source from the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying that the DPRK has not informed Russia of its intentions to stage missile or nuclear tests so far.

"We would wish very much that all the threats of Pyongyang should not be realized ... there have been no notifications from the DPRK (of the intentions to stage nuclear or missile tests) yet," the source said.

Pyongyang vowed on Saturday to carry on with its uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons production programs in response to the UN Resolution 1874 that was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council a day earlier.

The UN resolution imposed tougher sanctions on the DPRK, including a tighter arms embargo and new financial restrictions, and urged the country to immediately return to the six-party talks.

The new resolution came after the DPRK announced a successful nuclear test on May 25, the second since 2006.