South Korea Denies Knowledge of U.S. Protest Over Disclosure of North Korean Nuclear Site

KCNA

North Korea's Kim Jong Un observes a ground ejection test of what KCNA says is a high-output solid-fuel engine using carbon fiber composite materials, in North Korea.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said on Friday it was unaware of any protest by the United States or any restrictions on intelligence-sharing following reports that Washington was displeased over the disclosure of a previously unconfirmed North Korean nuclear facility.

The ministry stated that it had explained to the U.S. side that public remarks made by Minister Chung Dong-young regarding a North Korean nuclear site in Kusong were based on publicly available information, including international research reports, and that it understood the explanation had been accepted.

South Korean daily newspaper Dong-A Ilbo reported that the United States had conveyed its dissatisfaction to Seoul after Minister Chung Dong-young told a parliamentary hearing on 6 March that North Korea operated a uranium enrichment facility in Kusong, in addition to the well-known sites at Yongbyon and Kangson.

According to the newspaper, citing sources in both South Korea and the United States, Washington indicated it would partially restrict the sharing of intelligence related to North Korea with Seoul. The report said Minister Chung Dong-young’s remarks had served as the immediate trigger amid wider accumulated US frustration over a series of bilateral foreign and security disagreements.

A ministry spokesperson said during a press briefing that officials had “fully explained the background” to Minister Chung Dong-young’s remarks following an inquiry from the US Embassy in South Korea, adding that it was understood “the US side had accepted” the explanation.

The spokesperson further said the ministry had no knowledge of any protest or measures by the United States to limit intelligence-sharing.

Minister Chung Dong-young told the parliamentary committee in March that North Korea had been enriching weapons-grade uranium at Yongbyon, Kangson and Kusong, citing remarks by Rafael Grossi during a meeting of the agency’s Board of Governors.

However, the transcript of International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi’s opening statement referred only to facilities at Yongbyon and Kangson, with no mention of Kusong.

Source: Reuters



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