Following condemnation yesterday by the United Nations Security Council, North Korea has expelled the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors from its Yongbyon nuclear facility. and issued a statement saying it was “ceasing all cooperation with the IAEA.
While condemning the UN resolution against them, North Korea said it would restart the plutonium production at the facility and never again participate in the six-country talks. It said it would “further strengthen our nuclear deterrent to cope with additional military threats by hostile forces.”
The international crisis is the result of Western outrage over last weekend’s satellite launch by North Korea. The nation had previously ousted inspectors from Yongbyon in October as part of the six-party negotiations. Whether this is another tactical move in negotiations or a formal end to those negotiations, however, remains to be seen.