Sweden IS setting up historic summit between Kim and Trump: Foreign Minister confirms North Korean visit – amid fears Pyongyang is making MORE nukes by restarting its reactor

  • Sweden is happy to help resolve tensions , the country's foreign minister said
  • Her comments came after talks with her North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho 
  • A report shows the North probably began testing a nuclear reactor last month
  • Satellite images showed emissions of non-condensable gases from a reactor 

Sweden's foreign minister Margot Wallstrom said Sweden is happy to help resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula but it is up to the parties involved to try to find a way forward.

She was speaking a day after North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho arrived in Stockholm for talks, prompting speculation the visit could lay the groundwork for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

'We believe in dialogue and in a political process,' Wallstrom told reporters.

'We are hoping that if we can use our role and also our contacts, then we will put them to the best use.'

It comes after a report showed North Korea appears to have begun testing a nuclear reactor as recently as late February.

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Sweden's foreign minister Margot Wallstrom (pictured) said Sweden is happy to help resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula

Sweden's foreign minister Margot Wallstrom (pictured) said Sweden is happy to help resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula

The report by intelligence analysts at Jane's by IHS Markit said satellite imagery from February 25 showed emissions of non-condensable gases from a stack at the North's experimental light water reactor (ELWR) at the Yongbyon Atomic Energy Research Center, suggesting preliminary testing had likely begun.

The reactor could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, but North Korea is believed to already have enough fissile material for multiple nuclear bombs, according to Joshua Pollack, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

North Korea completed construction of the Yongbyon ELWR in 2013.

It was optimised for civilian electricity production, and although it is not yet operational, it could start running with 'little warning' later in 2018 or 2019, the Jane's report said.

The experimental reactor is likely too small to provide much in the way of electricity, but is part of a long-running effort to develop a light-water reactor after a deal by an international consortium, including the United States, to provide two such nuclear power reactors in the 1990s fell apart, Pollack said.

Satellite imagery showing emissions from the stack at the Yongbyon experimental light water reaction on February 25, 2018, suggesting trial operations are underway 

Satellite imagery showing emissions from the stack at the Yongbyon experimental light water reaction on February 25, 2018, suggesting trial operations are underway 

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho leaves the Swedish goverment building Rosenbad in central Stockholm after meeting with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho leaves the Swedish goverment building Rosenbad in central Stockholm after meeting with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom

'It's their way of saying, 'see, since you won't give us what you promised, we'll do it ourselves,' Pollack said.

'They haven't made any agreements lately with the U.S., so the work goes on.'

An official at the South's defence ministry said authorities were aware of the Jane's report, which follows a similar one released on the 38 North website earlier this month that said a nearby reactor had also continued to show signs of operation.

The isolated state has maintained it will continue developing its nuclear programme but later added it was open to abandoning the programme if the security of its regime was guaranteed, according to South Korea.

Meanwhile, South Korean officials began preparations on Friday for a summit next month with North Korea that is aimed at reducing tensions on the peninsula.

Although North Korea's state media has yet to comment on the pending summits with Moon and Trump, Ri's trip prompted speculation it could lay the groundwork for the summit in Sweden between Trump and Kim.

The foreign minister's trip prompted speculation it could lay the groundwork for the summit in Sweden between Trump and Kim Jong-un (pictured)

The foreign minister's trip prompted speculation it could lay the groundwork for the summit in Sweden between Trump and Kim Jong-un (pictured)

On Friday, Ri held talks in Stockholm with Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven amid reports the country could play a role in setting up a proposed summit between Kim and Trump.

'They had a meeting. We will not disclose what they talked about,' Lofven's spokesman Jonatan Holst told AFP.

However, Lofven on Thursday said Sweden was 'ready to' play a role if asked.

Sweden is among a number of countries touted as a possible venue for what would be a historic meeting between Trump and Kim, who have engaged in bellicose mudslinging over North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Sweden has longstanding ties with North Korea. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the country.

Satellite images from December 2016 showing signs of activity at a facility in North Korea

Satellite images from December 2016 showing signs of activity at a facility in North Korea

In early January 2018, there were no vehicles or troops at the Mirim Parade training facility

In early January 2018, there were no vehicles or troops at the Mirim Parade training facility

The embassy also represents US, Canadian and Australian diplomatic interests in North Korea, with Sweden playing a key role in liaising diplomatic talks.

As a result, Sweden is one of the few western states with a diplomatic channel to the North Korean leadership and may be able to smooth out obstacles in the path of a summit meeting.

Sweden acts as diplomatic representative in North Korea for the United States, which has no embassy there, and has helped with the release of U.S. citizens held by the reclusive state.

At a news conference in Washington last week, Trump thanked Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven for helping American detainees in North Korea and particularly in securing the release of U.S. student Otto Warmbier last year.

Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported, without citing sources, that Ri planned to stay in Sweden until Sunday.

A source familiar with the matter declined to comment but told Reuters the bilateral talks would end on Friday.

By January 6, the northeast parking area of the central training area is full of trucks and there are small formations of towed artillery and air defense vehicles

By January 6, the northeast parking area of the central training area is full of trucks and there are small formations of towed artillery and air defense vehicles

Work continues on submersible test stand barge seen at Nampo Navy Shipyard in North Korea on January 6

Work continues on submersible test stand barge seen at Nampo Navy Shipyard in North Korea on January 6

Meanwhile, South Korean officials were set to convene their first meeting at the presidential Blue House to prepare for a summit between President Moon Jae-in and the North Korean leader late next month.

Headed by Moon's chief of staff Im Jong-seok, former prominent democracy activist, the team will hammer out plans for the summit, including when to contact the North and what will be discussed between Kim and Moon.

After months of tension and warmongering over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, Trump agreed to a summit proposal relayed by South Korean envoys who met Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.

Trump and Kim are expected to meet sometime in May although a location has not been set yet.

The push for these summits came after the North Korean leader said in a New Year's address that he wanted to improve relations with the South following a year of heightened tensions brought on by the North's nuclear and missile tests.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (right) and his delegation arrive at the North Korean embassy in Stockholm on Thursday

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (right) and his delegation arrive at the North Korean embassy in Stockholm on Thursday