This U.S. Navy handout image shows Baker, the second of the two atomic bomb tests, in which a 63-kiloton warhead was exploded 90 feet under water as part of Operation Crossroads, conducted at Bikini Atoll in July 1946 to measure nuclear weapon effects on
This U.S. Navy handout image shows Baker, the second of the two atomic bomb tests, in which a 63-kiloton warhead was exploded 90 feet under water as part of Operation Crossroads, conducted at Bikini Atoll in July 1946 to measure nuclear weapon effects on warships. The United States said on April 25, 2014, it was examining lawsuits filed by the Marshall Islands against it and eight other nuclear-armed countries that accuse them of failing in their obligation to negotiate nuclear disarmament. REUTERS/U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters REUTERS/U.S. Navy/Handout via

Australia is believed to be “an easy target” for North Korea after the recent launch of its nuclear reactor, according to Australian National University Korea expert Leonid Petrov.

Petrov told news.com.au that the nation is now capable of making sufficient weapons-grade plutonium needed to develop a nuclear bomb every year. He mentioned that the sparse population of the country makes it readily available for nuclear attacks, but the chances of it being bombed directly are less.

While an easy target, Australia does not have too many military operations, nor does it possess much strategic importance that could threaten other developing powers. As a reuslt, Petrov claimed countries like South Korea, Japan and the U.S.A. have more chances of getting attacked by North Korea.

North Korea has not used its Yongbyon nuclear reactor since 2007, but has kept it safe for aid-for disarmament agreement signed by six nations. However, the nation tested its nuclear reactor in 2013 and has since been reportedly maintaining it. Pyongyang, however, confirmed on Monday that it will restart its nuclear reactor to strengthen its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea’s Atomic Energy Institute, or AEI, claimed that the Kim Jong-un regime is working on the maintenance of the nuclear weapons both qualitatively and quantitatively. It also confirmed that the Yongbyon nuclear complex with a five-megawatt reactor is also back in action.

The head of the AEI said a satellite rocket will be launched in October. “The world will clearly see a series of satellites ... soaring into the sky at the times and locations determined by the WPK central committee,” the director of the North’s National Aerospace Development Administration said on Monday via ABC News .

The director of the AEI warned that if the U.S. and other hostile forces violate peace policies, North Korea will be ready to use the nuclear weapons at any time.

“North Korea claims the primary purpose is economic for electricity but it doesn’t deny the plutonium material can be used for nuclear bombs, which they are happy to use in case of invasion, which they claim constantly,” Petrov said.

Pyongyang announced the launch of a satellite rocket on Oct. 10 to mark the 70th anniversary of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea. If the launch is carried out, it might negatively affect the North-South Korean family reunion scheduled from Oct 20-26.

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