North Korea produces plutonium weapons
North Korea says it has completed the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods to extract weapons-grade plutonium. The Korean Central News Agency added that notable successes had been made in bolstering North Korea's nuclear deterrent.
The statement comes one day after North Korea said it was ready for talks with the US on its nuclear programme. It also threatened to go its own way if Washington refused direct talks.
The announcement is the latest move in stop-start attempts by the US and its allies to end North Korea's nuclear programme.