(Seoul) -- North Korea claims it has completed reprocessing spent fuel rods at its Yongbyon nuclear plant and weaponized plutonium from the material.

If it's true, it would give Pyongyang more material to produce nuclear weapons.

In a statement reported by South Korean media, the North said, quote, "We have finished reprocessing eight-thousand spent fuel rods as of August.

We have made substantial achievements in weaponizing plutonium from the extraction."

Experts say the North might be able to produce enough material for one additional atomic weapon from the fuel rods at its Yongbyon plant.

The Soviet-built plant was being dismantled under a sputtering disarmament-for-aid deal.

The North reportedly already had enough nuclear material for between six and eight atomic weapons.

　

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