The United States on Thursday expressed "serious concern" over a statement issued on the same day by the foreign ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) saying that it had successfully completed the reprocessing of 8,000 spent fuel rods.

"I believe that this is a matter of serious concern for the international community, "Secretary of State Colin Powell said at a press conference here.

"This is the third time they have told us they have finished reprocessing the rods," the secretary added.

Powell said the United States will not react to each and every statement from the DPRK while continue to pursue diplomacy in resolving the DPRK nuclear issue.

"We are examining ways in cooperation with our colleagues in the area to provide the kinds of security assurances that might help move the process further along," he said.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2003)