Satellites Detect Construction at N Korea Uranium Facility
Sept 17, 2021 20:01:03 GMT -5
Post by Berean on Sept 17, 2021 20:01:03 GMT -5
Satellites Detect Construction at North Korea Uranium Enrichment Facility
JOHN HAYWARD17 Sep 2021237
3:21
Satellite images revealed on Thursday that North Korea is constructing new buildings at its Yongbyon nuclear facility, traditionally the Communist dictatorship’s source of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium.
Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies told CNN the plant could be upgraded to increase the production of weaponized nuclear material by up to 25 percent:
“The most recent expansion at Yongbyon probably reflects plans to increase production of nuclear materials for weapons production,” he added, noting the ongoing construction is consistent with previous efforts to add floorspace at the facility, allowing it to house more centrifuges and thus, enrich more uranium on a yearly basis.
“The new area is approximately 1,000 square meters, enough space to house 1,000 additional centrifuges. The addition of 1,000 new centrifuges would increase the plant’s capacity to produce highly enriched uranium by 25 percent,” Lewis said.
If North Korea were to upgrade the type of centrifuges currently in use at this plant, it “could increase the capacity of the plant substantially,” he told CNN.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), nuclear watchdog for the United Nations, reported in late August that North Korea apparently restarted the Yongbyon reactor, which had been inactive since December 2018.
“Since early July, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor,” the IAEA said, adding there were “deeply troubling” indications that a nearby plutonium laboratory had also resumed operation.
Some renewed activity was noted at Yongbyong in November 2020, but it most amounted to some plumes of vapor and ambiguous worker activity.
North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un gave a speech in January 2021 that called for producing both “super-sized nuclear warheads” and “nuclear warheads smaller and lighter for tactical uses.” Both endeavors would require more weapons-grade material, especially if North Korea plans to create thermonuclear warheads.
Continued at link
JOHN HAYWARD17 Sep 2021237
3:21
Satellite images revealed on Thursday that North Korea is constructing new buildings at its Yongbyon nuclear facility, traditionally the Communist dictatorship’s source of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium.
Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies told CNN the plant could be upgraded to increase the production of weaponized nuclear material by up to 25 percent:
“The most recent expansion at Yongbyon probably reflects plans to increase production of nuclear materials for weapons production,” he added, noting the ongoing construction is consistent with previous efforts to add floorspace at the facility, allowing it to house more centrifuges and thus, enrich more uranium on a yearly basis.
“The new area is approximately 1,000 square meters, enough space to house 1,000 additional centrifuges. The addition of 1,000 new centrifuges would increase the plant’s capacity to produce highly enriched uranium by 25 percent,” Lewis said.
If North Korea were to upgrade the type of centrifuges currently in use at this plant, it “could increase the capacity of the plant substantially,” he told CNN.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), nuclear watchdog for the United Nations, reported in late August that North Korea apparently restarted the Yongbyon reactor, which had been inactive since December 2018.
“Since early July, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor,” the IAEA said, adding there were “deeply troubling” indications that a nearby plutonium laboratory had also resumed operation.
Some renewed activity was noted at Yongbyong in November 2020, but it most amounted to some plumes of vapor and ambiguous worker activity.
North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un gave a speech in January 2021 that called for producing both “super-sized nuclear warheads” and “nuclear warheads smaller and lighter for tactical uses.” Both endeavors would require more weapons-grade material, especially if North Korea plans to create thermonuclear warheads.
Continued at link