Photo: AFP Contributor / AFP / Getty Images
North Korea has apparently restarted construction of a long-idle nuclear reactor that, if fully completed, would radically increase its capacity to produce plutonium for the elaboration of nuclear weapons, according to the new satellite images that were obtained by CNN, in addition to a source linked to the intelligence reports of USA
The images were captured by the Maxar satellite during the months of April and May of this year, where Korea can be seen The North restarted construction of the second reactor at its Yongbyon nuclear complex after years of inactivity, said experts at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies who studied the photos.
This reactor is also 10 times larger than the existing one in Yongbyon, which has been in operation since the late 50′.
The North American authorities are aware of and follow the recent activity in Yongbyon, according to the related source, who indicated that the Asian country is not trying to hide the restart of the reactor construction.
Furthermore, appears to be an outward demonstration of North Korea’s nuclear progress and ambitions North, the source said, adding that the new foundation at the reactor aligns with Pyongyang’s goal to demonstrate that it is a state with nuclear weapons.
Experts in the field believe that it is difficult to estimate how quickly the construction of the reactor will be completed. However, once it is operational, it could allow Kim Jong-un’s country to increase its production of plutonium for nuclear weapons by a factor of 10, said weapons expert and Middlebyry Institute professor Jeffrey Lewis. .
For his part, Pentagon spokesman Martin Meiners refused to comment when asked if there is specific intelligence suggesting that Korea The North took new steps to finish the construction of the Yongbyon reactor.
“However, we have been very clear about the threat posed by the nuclear and missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). , our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the homeland of the United States, and our shared goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Meiners added.
Pyongyang stopped laying the foundations for the reactor in 1994 within the framework of its agreement with the United States. At the time, the reactor was still several years away from completion, Lewis said.
He also said only very limited construction activity was seen at the site in subsequent years, but the spokesman said he and his fellow researchers believe recent satellite images provide “the first unequivocal indicator that South Korea North is moving to complete the reactor.”
Images captured by Maxar show as North Korea is “connecting the secondary cooling loop of the 50 MW(e) reactor to a bombs in the river,” Lewis said.
“The connection of the cooling circuit helps to explain other activities observed in the reactor of 50 MW(e) in recent years”, said the professor, noting that the observed demolition of a building last year that was believed to house a cooling pond for spent fuel.
“Connecting the secondary cooling circuit suggests, in hindsight, that the demolition of the apparent spent fuel building was an early sign that North Korea has the intention to complete the construction of the reactor”, he told CNN.
On the other hand, The source stated that a lot of preparatory activity is required before construction of a nuclear reactorr can start. “Preparatory activities speak to long-term intent, planning, and goals,” the source added.
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