(LEAD) Satellite imagery indicates continued operation of N.K. nuclear reactor: 38 North
(ATTN: UPDATES with background on nuclear talks with N. Korea in last two paras; CHANGES lead)
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to be continuing the operation of a plutonium-producing nuclear reactor at its mainstay Yongbyon complex, a U.S. monitoring website has said, citing the release of steam and water seen in recent satellite imagery.
38 North reported Wednesday (local time) that recent commercial satellite imagery of the complex north of Pyongyang provided further evidence of activity at the 5-megawatt reactor, which can produce up to 6 kilograms of plutonium -- a fissile material used for a nuclear bomb -- a year.
"Steam is emanating from the reactor's generator hall, indicating that at least one of the generators is running," the website said. "Additionally, water continues to be discharged from the auxiliary pipe into the channel leading to the Kuryong River."
The website said the new activity at the reactor is "notable," as production of fissile materials is likely needed to accomplish North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's goal of strengthening nuclear capabilities announced during the country's eighth party congress in January.
Construction of a new wing south of the experimental light water reactor seems to continue, although there are no signs of operations starting at the facility, it noted.
The suspicion is in line with the monitoring results by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which said the North appears to have continued operations at the Yongbyon nuclear reactor since it went into operation in August.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog also pointed out nuclear activities at the nation's uranium enrichment and mine facility elsewhere.
"There are ongoing indications of activities at the Kangson complex and the Pyongsan Mine and Concentration Plant," IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said during a board of governors meeting Wednesday.
The Kangson complex is North Korea's second uranium-enrichment plant after its well-known facility in Yongbyon, and the Pyongsan facility is a major mill that turns uranium ore into yellowcake, a first step toward enriching uranium.
Concerns are rising over signs of Pyongyang's nuclear activities, especially when South Korea and the U.S. have been in consultations for a declaration of a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War to resume stalled denuclearization talks with the reclusive state.
Nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and the North have remained stalled since the 2019 Hanoi summit between the two nations ended without a deal.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
S. Korea supports resolution backing U.N. membership of Palestine
-
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
U.S. will take steps for three-way engagement on nuclear deterrence with S. Korea, Japan: Campbell
-
(LEAD) Hybe to file complaint against sublabel executives over internal conflict
-
S. Korea reports highest suicide rate, ultra fine dust level among OECD nations: data
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
U.S. sent ATACMS missiles to Ukraine following Russia's use of N.K. missiles: White House