As preparations pick up a head of steam for
the summits,... analysts have detected new
activity at North Korea's main nuclear complex.
Recent satellite imagery suggests a reactor
has been powered up following years of construction.
The findings are likely to come up during
the meeting between President Trump and Kim
Jong-un,... as the U.S. is demanding the regime
denuclearize.
Park Hee-jun reports.
Numerous reports are indicating fresh activity
at North Korea's nuclear site.
According to the New York Times,... satellite
imagery taken in February shows what appears
to be emissions from a smokestack,... suggesting
a new North Korean reactor, situated at the
Yongbyon nuclear complex, is firing up now
after years of construction.
Recent analysis by the Center for International
Security and Cooperation at Stanford University,...
also indicates that North Korea may have begun
testing an experimental light water reactor.
Both can be used to produce the fissile materials
needed for nuclear bombs.
Pyongyang has claimed that the plant was built
to produce electricity for civilian use.
But Jane's Intelligence Review cautioned that
it's impossible to know for sure without international
inspections-- whether the reactor is indeed
for civilian electricity,... or whether it's
for creating weapons-grade nuclear material.
North Korea hasn't conducted any nuclear tests
since last November.
However, the activity at the reactor could
raise tension, as it comes at an especially
sensitive time with the Trump-Kim talks coming
up in the next few months.
The new nuclear activity is likely to be the
central issue for the talks,... as the United
States' core goal continues to be denuclearizing
the North.
And it raises the need for President Trump
to not only push for North Korea to give up
its nuclear weapons,... but also the factories
and reactors that create the material to build
more weapons.
Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.
