North Korea restarting Yongbyon nuclear reactor
- 11 years ago
Originally published on September 12, 2013
Washington-based U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies said on Wednesday (September 11) that satellite imagery suggests North Korea has restarted a research reactor capable of producing plutonium for weapons. The institute says a satellite image from August 31 shows white steam rising from a building near the hall that houses the Yongbyon nuclear complex plutonium production reactor's steam turbines and electric generators.
Reuters reports, "'The white coloration and volume are consistent with steam being vented because the electrical generating system is about to come online, indicating that the reactor is in or nearing operation,' said the Washington-based institute.
"The reactor can produce 6 kgs (13.2 lbs) of plutonium a year, the report added.
"There was no immediate comment on Wednesday from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
"A spokesman for the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs declined to respond the report, citing a policy of not commenting on intelligence matters, but said Pyongyang's "nuclear program remains a matter of serious concern."
"The spokesman repeated Washington's longstanding call for North Korea to comply with a 2005 aid-for-disarmament agreement signed by North Korea, its neighbors and the United States. Under that pact, Pyongyang would have dismantled its nuclear program in exchange for economic and energy aid.
"North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests since 2006.
"Pyongyang announced in April that it would revive the aged Yongbyon research reactor that yields bomb-grade plutonium but stressed it was seeking a deterrent capacity."
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Washington-based U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies said on Wednesday (September 11) that satellite imagery suggests North Korea has restarted a research reactor capable of producing plutonium for weapons. The institute says a satellite image from August 31 shows white steam rising from a building near the hall that houses the Yongbyon nuclear complex plutonium production reactor's steam turbines and electric generators.
Reuters reports, "'The white coloration and volume are consistent with steam being vented because the electrical generating system is about to come online, indicating that the reactor is in or nearing operation,' said the Washington-based institute.
"The reactor can produce 6 kgs (13.2 lbs) of plutonium a year, the report added.
"There was no immediate comment on Wednesday from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
"A spokesman for the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs declined to respond the report, citing a policy of not commenting on intelligence matters, but said Pyongyang's "nuclear program remains a matter of serious concern."
"The spokesman repeated Washington's longstanding call for North Korea to comply with a 2005 aid-for-disarmament agreement signed by North Korea, its neighbors and the United States. Under that pact, Pyongyang would have dismantled its nuclear program in exchange for economic and energy aid.
"North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests since 2006.
"Pyongyang announced in April that it would revive the aged Yongbyon research reactor that yields bomb-grade plutonium but stressed it was seeking a deterrent capacity."
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