NK Pilfered Equipment at Nuclear Reactor Site
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
South Korea plans to ask a multilateral organization for cooperation in checking the validity of a report that North Korea has pilfered equipment at a nuclear reactor site, a government official said Wednesday.
But confirming the reported theft it is likely to take some time as the North has kept outsiders out of the Sinpo area of North Hamgyeong Province, where the site is located.
"It will not be easy to confirm the report because Pyongyang has sealed off the area," the official said, asking to remain anonymous. "We have to discuss this issue with KEDO (Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization) members."
The forum currently consists of 13 countries, including South Korea, Japan and the United States.
Following an agreement signed between the United States and North Korea in 1994, the communist state allowed two light-water reactors to be erected in its territory.
In return, the North promised to freeze its nuclear plants that produce arms-grade plutonium. KEDO was responsible for providing the two units that meet international standards of nuclear safety. South Korea paid for approximately $1.1 billion of the $1.5 billion-project.
Construction, however, was halted in 2002 with only one-third of the work complete, after the North was reported to be proceeding with highly enriched uranium programs.
Pyongyang has prohibited any equipment left at the reactor site from being taken out of the country since 2003.
Additionally, KEDO's monitoring agents were kicked off the site in January 2006.
North Korea has vowed not to lift the ban until construction is resumed.
According to the Ministry of Unification, the equipment, including 93 heavy trucks and 190 vehicles, is valued at about 45.5 billion won ($ 39 million).
KEDO members, the official said, have met once or twice a year after the deal was halted and are expected to discuss the reported theft at a meeting next year.
The last gathering took place in November.