U.S. says North Korea nuclear and missile work 'of great concern'

[News Manager]

By David Brunnstrom and Shadia Nasralla WASHINGTON/VIENNA (Reuters) - The United States said on Wednesday that North Korea's nuclear program and the increased range and precision of its missiles were of great concern, a day after the isolated Asian country said it had the power to deter a U.S. nuclear threat with a pre-emptive strike if necessary. The U.S. mission to International Organizations in Vienna, home to the U.N's International Atomic Energy Organisation, said the restart of North Korea's graphite-moderated nuclear reactor could enable it to produce additional plutonium for weapons in the near future. In Washington, General Vincent Brooks, commander of the U.S. Army in the Pacific, said the United States had detected "increased militarization" of North Korea's nuclear program.

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