South Korea has told the International Atomic Energy Agency its scientists carried out secret nuclear experiments without the knowledge of the government.
The experiments involved the development of nuclear fuel-enrichment capabilities that can be used to fuel nuclear bombs.
However, a South Korean government official denied any intention to develop a weapons programme and claimed the experiments, which involved separating isotopes using lasers, were carried out by a group of scientists without government knowledge.
The official said the experiments were carried out four years ago.
The BBC reported comments by a European diplomat that the work was a violation of South Korea's international nuclear commitments and that the discovery could lead to calls for South Korea to be referred to the UN Security Council.
Agencies