Japan expresses regret over DPRK's reprocessing of nuke fuel rods

TOKYO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan believed Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s completion of reprocessing about 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods at its Yongbyon nuclear complex as of the end of August an act "regrettable", Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said Wednesday.

"If that is a fact, I cannot help but say that is extremely regrettable because that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions," Hirano told a news conference in Tokyo.

The top government spokesman said Japan "cannot tolerate North Korea (DPRK) possessing nuclear (capabilities)" and urged Pyongyang to return to the six-party talks as soon as possible.

The nuclear disarmament talks, involving the DPRK, South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, have been stalled since last December.