SEOUL: New satellite imagery suggests North Korea may be firing up a facility for processing weapons-grade plutonium, as Pyongyang threatened yesterday a fresh nuclear test in response to UN condemnation of its rights record.
The images show steam rising from a re-processing plant at the North’s main Yongbyon nuclear complex — a sign consistent with maintenance and testing prior to commencing operations, the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said on its closely followed 38 North website. The facility is used to reprocess spent fuel from the five-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon that is North Korea’s main source of weapons grade plutonium.
The new analysis coincided with fresh threats from Pyongyang to carry out a new underground nuclear test following the UN adoption of a landmark resolution that condemns North Korean rights abuses. AFP
