Continued movement of facilities such as plutonium extraction Punggye-ri nuclear test site already completed restoration US State Department “Yongbyon test run, serious concerns”
The operation status of the experimental light water reactor at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facility captured by a satellite from the U.S. commercial satellite company ‘Planet Labs’. On the right (in a circle) is a view of the light water reactor, and on the left (in a circle) is the hot water discharge, which is classified as direct evidence of the operation of the light water reactor. Arms control wonk capture
It is known that South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are closely watching new movements, such as the operation of auxiliary facilities at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facility. While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on the 21st (local time) that it had observed the operation of an experimental light-water reactor at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facility, the South Korean and U.S. authorities have also already detected the operation of some nuclear facilities and are monitoring and tracking them. Regarding the Punggye-ri nuclear test site located in North Hamgyong Province, North Korea, the government believes that key facilities have already been restored to the extent that a nuclear test is possible at any time.
On the 24th, a high-ranking government source said, “New signs of activity have been detected, such as the recent observation of drainage from North Korea’s new light-water reactor,” adding, “It does not appear to be a temporary phenomenon.” There is a possibility that North Korea is operating a new 25-30MW light water reactor. North Korea, which has been producing the plutonium needed to manufacture nuclear warheads by reprocessing the fuel used in nuclear reactors, has mainly operated 5MW (megawatt) class reactors. This source also said, “In particular, we are carefully watching the situation in which movements of various annexed facilities within the Yongbyon nuclear facility are detected in succession at similar times.” As operating conditions such as centrifugal enrichment facilities were captured simultaneously, signs of additional activity are being closely monitored.
Regarding the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, the source said, “The restoration of major facilities has already been completed,” and “It is in a state where it can be used at any time after some reinforcement work.” Last month, the National Intelligence Service also announced at the Intelligence Committee held in the National Assembly that North Korea’s Punggye-ri tunnel is fully prepared for a nuclear test.
This source said, “There are no signs that North Korea will conduct a nuclear test immediately,” but added, “There is a possibility that they will press the nuclear test button as early as next spring.” Regarding the possibility of a nuclear test aimed at the general election in April next year, “North Korea these days has less of a pattern of carrying out major provocations right before major events in the South, such as elections, than in the past,” but added, “We are not ruling out the possibility of doing so (launching a nuclear test) to attract attention. “There is,” he added.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department pointed out that the IAEA revealed the operation status of the light-water reactor at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facility, saying, “North Korea’s new light-water reactor nuclear power plant trial operation raises serious concerns, including safety.” According to the Voice of America (VOA) broadcast on the 23rd (local time), the U.S. State Department said, “Without the IAEA’s monitoring and support, (such activities) could increase serious risks to North Korea, the region, and the global nuclear industry.”
Reporter Shin Jin-woo niceshin@donga.com
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2023-12-24 18:00:00
