On Tuesday, North Korea said through state media that it has restarted its weapons-grade nuclear fuel facilities, with its main facility, Yongbyon, at "full operation." Pyongang is improving its nuclear weapons "in quality and quantity," news agency KCNA said, and the nation is ready to use "nuclear weapons any time" it faces hostility from the U.S. The Yongbyon reactor has been shut down since 2007, and analysts tell The Associated Press that the purported move to restart plutonium production was at least partly aimed at forcing the U.S. back to the negotiating table, leading to food aid and sanctions relief. Six-party talks have been on hold since 2009.
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