The Unification Ministry is downplaying North Korea's removal of fuel rods from the Yongbyon nuclear reactor, calling it a tactical ploy to boost its negotiating power.

In a regular briefing Thursday, Vice Unification Minister Lee Bong-jo said the reactor is believed to have shut down at the end of March, adding the government will calmly find the facts and continue diplomatic efforts.

He denied that the latest provocation translates into an immediate crisis, saying Seoul is mulling measures for the North's expected reprocessing of the fuel rods.

Lee said the unloading of spent nuclear fuel will only aggravate the tense situation and dampen multi-lateral efforts to resume the stalled six-way talks.

He urged the North to speak at the negotiating table instead of engaging in delay tactics.

Washington earlier played down the North's statements and actions, urging it to resume dialogue.

The North on Wednesday said it successfully finished removing eight thousand fuel rods from the Yongbyon reactor to bolster its nuclear arsenal.

The nuclear row erupted in 2002 after the United States accused the North of developing uranium as well as plutonium.