North Korea appears to have restarted a plutonium-producing reactor at its Yongbyon nuclear complex, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA).  

The UN atomic watchdog reportedly assessed that North Korea appears to have restarted the plutonium-producing reactor in Yongbyon in early July, citing indications, including the discharge of cooling water. 

The reactor is presumed to have been inactive since December 2018. 

The Journal said that the restart of the reactor will be a new challenge for talks on salvaging the nuclear deal with Iran and the Biden administration's foreign policy.