[Yonhap News Photo]
North Korea has "likely" resumed operations at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex to produce weapons-grade plutonium, 38 North, the website of a US research institute, said, based on analysis of satellite imagery.
Pyongyang has built various nuclear facilities at the complex, including a reprocessing lab and a five-megawatt reactor reactivated from mid-2013.
"Imagery from January 22 shows a water plume (most probably warm) originating from the cooling water outlet of the reactor, an indication that the reactor is very likely operating," 38 North said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to launch more rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, saying Pyongyang has acquired re-entry technology, despite doubts about its ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile.
In its 2016 defense white paper, the South's defense ministry said North Korea has some 50 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium, sufficient to manufacture 10 nuclear weapons.
Pyongyang has significant advancements in its ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads and enrich uranium, the paper said.
This year, North Korea threatened to launch an ICBM at a time and place determined by Kim who said in his New Year's address that Pyongyang had reached the final stage of ICBM development.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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