Rapid infrastructure improvement at N. Korea's nuclear research center: 38 North

By Lim Chang-won Posted : June 27, 2018, 08:32 Updated : June 27, 2018, 08:32

[KCNA / Yonhap]


SEOUL -- The infrastructure at the research center of North Korea's main nuclear complex, which has been used to extract weapons-grade plutonium, showed rapid improvements, despite a landmark denuclearization deal signed by leader Kim Jong-un, according to 38 North, the website of a U.S. research institute.

Satellite imagery from June 21 indicates that improvements to the infrastructure at the North's nuclear scientific research center are "continuing at a rapid pace," 38 North said.

However, the website cautioned that continued work at nuclear facilities in Yongbyon, which has been at the center of global attention, should not be seen as having any relationship to North Korea's pledge to denuclearize.

"The North’s nuclear cadre can be expected to proceed with business as usual until specific orders are issued from Pyongyang," it said.

At talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on June 12 in Singapore, Kim agreed to push for denuclearization, but many experts still cast doubt over the North's sudden peace overture that followed a series of ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests.

38 North said that modifications to the cooling system of the five-megawatt plutonium production reactor appear complete, but the discharge of "less-than-normal" cooling water from the outfall pipe makes "a determination of the reactor's operational status difficult."

The operational status of a radiochemical lab, used to separate plutonium from spent fuel rods, remains uncertain given the lack of visible vapor coming from the cooling tower, although an associated thermal plant has likely continued operations, the website said.

A small non-industrial building of an unknown purpose has been newly erected near the cooling tower, it said. "Although it is not absolutely clear what role these buildings might serve, they are non-industrial in design, and could have some kind of hospitality role for senior officials."

Construction continues on support facilities throughout other operational areas in Yongbyon, especially at the experimental light water reactor (ELWR), where the new engineering office building appears externally complete and a small building similar to the one observed at the radiochemical lab has been erected, it said.
 
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