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North Korea seems to be continuously stepping up the construction and development of key facilities at its Yongbyon nuclear research center, according to a U.S.-based civil research organization, Thursday.
"North Korea's 5 megawatt-electric reactor at the Yongbyon site continues to be active," the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said, releasing a report based on satellite analysis.
It said construction at the experimental light water reactor and possible renovations have been detected at the uranium centrifuge complex, located in the southern part of the Yongbyon site. This indicates that the mothballed nuclear power plant, which was shut down after an agreement following the six party talks in 2007, may be ready to restart.
Commercial satellite imagery taken on June 30 shows that water is being discharged through a pipeline buried east of the reactor. ISIS assessed that this water came from a pump house north of the reactor and is passed through the reactor's cooling system, implying the reactor is operational.
North Korea has been subject to heavy sanctions by the United Nations and the United States for its nuclear and missile programs, and is prohibited from developing the site or restarting the reactor.
The report said that fresh construction was also detected at the site of the light water reactor. A series of objects and equipment for construction appeared at the north and south end of the reactor in the satellite imagery, the think tank said.
North Korea may be installing centrifuge cascades inside the new section of the centrifuge building, it added. "Continuing development of North Korea's plutonium and uranium production capabilities complements the country's propaganda," said Andrea Berger, a security expert at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
"Officials and state media continually assert that North Korea boasts a diversified nuclear arsenal. Whether this is a current reality is impossible to say, but it is undoubtedly a medium-term aspiration. Activity at Yongbyon suggests that North Korea is working actively to have both types of bomb-grade material ― highly enriched uranium and plutonium ― available for military pursuits."
