North Korea: high level of nuclear activity revealed by satellite images

Satellite view of the Yongbyon nuclear power plant (North Korea). © 2021 Maxar Technologies / AFP

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A high level of activity was detected at the Yongbyon site, North Korea's main nuclear complex, using satellite images taken between March 3 and 17, according to a think-tank, after leader Kim Jong-un called on Tuesday (March 28th) to increase the production of "military nuclear material".

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Satellite images taken between March 3 and 17 at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear site suggest that construction of a light-water reactor there is "close to completion," according to the US-based organization 38 North. According to the same images, the construction of a building has begun, while discharges of water from the cooling system have been detected, suggesting that the reactor is preparing "to be operational", details the report of the think tank.

Tactical warheads

A five-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon also continues to operate and new construction has begun around the site's uranium enrichment plant, presumably to increase its capacity. "These developments appear to reflect Kim Jong-un's recent directive to increase the production of fissile material to bolster his nuclear arsenal," 38 North said. State media on Tuesday showed North Korea's number one, who called for increasing the production of "military nuclear material" in order to "exponentially" increase the production of nuclear weapons, inspecting a row of smaller warheads. These appear to be tactical nuclear warheads.

Experts say tactical nuclear weapons are a sign that North Korea is making technical progress, and seem to indicate that the country is preparing to conduct a seventh nuclear test. For their part, Seoul and Washington are warning against a new North Korean nuclear test since early 2022. While the two allies have stepped up joint military exercises, Pyongyang is still firing and testing missiles, while blaming Seoul for the deterioration of regional security.

« Real war »

North Korea's official KCNA news agency on Sunday denounced the series of joint exercises conducted by Washington and Seoul, warning of North Korea's "nuclear attack capability." The North Korean military, which has stepped up its military exercises in recent weeks, said Tuesday it had conducted a second test of what it described as an "underwater nuclear attack drone." While Pyongyang has described its status as a nuclear power in 2022 "irreversible", the North Korean leader ordered his military this month to intensify its military maneuvers in preparation for a "real war".

(

With AFP)

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  • North Korea
  • Nuclear
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  • Kim Jong-un
  • South Korea