The chief of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) here on Monday confirmed that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has shut down its sole functioning nuclear reactor.
IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei is in Bangkok attending Thailand's sixth National Congress on Science and Technology as a guest honorary speaker, which opened on Monday.
IAEA inspectors in DPRK have verified the shutting down of the reactor on Sunday, ElBaradei was quoted by local media as saying, adding that the agency has received good cooperation from the country.
During his meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram on Friday, ElBaradei expressed his support to the idea of Thailand developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, according to Thailand's Foreign Ministry.
He said that the IAEA and Thailand would strengthen cooperation in the area of developing infrastructure for a nuclear power plant equipped with proper security and adequate technology.
The IAEA and Thailand would strengthen cooperation in developing the infrastructure of a nuclear power plant equipped with proper security and adequate technology to promote Thailand's economic development through the maximum usage of nuclear energy, a release from the Ministry said.
