UN atomic watchdog chief Yukiya Amano urged North Korea Monday to allow its inspectors back into its nuclear facilities.

 "I believe that last year's reports about the construction of a new uranium enrichment facility and a light water reactor in the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) underline how important it is that the agency should be present in the DPRK," Amano told the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors.

 "I wish to stress that the agency has an essential role to play in verifying the DPRK's nuclear programme." And he urged Pyongyang to "fully implement all of the resolutions of the (IAEA) general conference and the (UN) Security Council."

 Last year, a US scientist revealed he had been shown a new uranium enrichment plant at the Yongbyon nuclear complex outside the North Korean capital Pyongyang.

 The news heightened international concern that the reclusive Stalinist state -- which has conducted two nuclear weapons tests -- could produce highly-enriched weapons-grade uranium on top of the plutonium already in its possession.

The IAEA has not been able to verify the reports since its inspectors were barred from North Korea in 2009.

 North Korea's nuclear programme "remains a matter of serious concern for the North-East Asia region and beyond," Amano said Monday.

 

AFP /ls

 

Yukiya Amano