Satellite images and thermal infrared images of North Korea’s Nyongbyon nuclear facility show evidence of nuclear material production activities.
On the 14th, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that a commercial satellite, Planet Labs, had captured an image of the Nyongbyon nuclear facility on the 26th of last month, showing white foam being discharged into the Kuryong River from the pump station connected to the experimental light-water reactor.
The discharge of cooling water is considered a key indicator in determining the operating status of the reactor and light-water reactor within the Nyongbyon nuclear facility.
Thermal infrared images taken by Landsat-8, operated by NASA, on the same day also found that both the radiochemical laboratory and uranium enrichment facility of the Nyongbyon nuclear facility are operating while emitting heat. The images taken on the 2nd and 10th of the same month also showed the radiochemical laboratory emitting high heat, marked by a red color.
Jeong Seong Hak, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Security Strategy, said, “It appears that North Korea is operating the facility by discharging cooling water from the light-water reactor at the Nyongbyon nuclear facility,” and added, “Operating the light-water reactor can be seen as producing nuclear materials.”
In particular, researcher Jeong also said it appeared that plutonium was being extracted by reprocessing spent fuel rods in the radiochemical laboratory, and highly enriched uranium was being produced in the uranium enrichment facility.
According to experts, this may be related to Kim Jong Un’s declaration at the end of last year at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Party to increase the number of nuclear warheads exponentially.
Bruce Bennett, an analyst at RAND Corporation in the United States, told RFA, “North Korea has about 50 nuclear materials needed to manufacture nuclear weapons, and it is estimated that about 20 weapons have been assembled.” He also predicted that North Korea would conduct a seventh nuclear test.
Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, also judged on the 4th that the Punggye-ri nuclear test site is in a usable state and North Korea is prepared for a seventh nuclear test.