Is North Korea Back To Producing Plutonium For Its Nuclear Stockpile?

38 North: More Evidence of Possible Reprocessing Campaign at Yongbyon; Progress at Experimental Light Water Reactor

A 38 North exclusive with analysis by Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr.

Summary

Recent commercial satellite imagery shows new developments at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center indicating that North Korea has already begun or plans to commence a reprocessing campaign to separate additional plutonium for nuclear weapons. This activity consists of the presence of a loaded railroad flatcar at the Radiochemical Laboratory, excavation alongside the old “Building 500” used to store waste from earlier reprocessing campaigns and excavation work at the Experimental Light Water Reactor’s (ELWR) cooling water cistern. Such a conclusion is consistent with a February 2016 statement by US Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper that North Korea “…. could begin to recover plutonium from the reactor’s spent fuel within a matter of weeks to months.”

Imagery also indicates that there is continuing and expanding work at the ELWR still under construction. However, it remains unclear when that facility will become operational.

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Update #1: US researchers see more signs North Korea is producing plutonium -- AP
Update #2: North Korea May Be Producing Plutonium For More Nuclear Weapons, Report Says; UN Condemns Failed Missile Test -- IBTimes

WNU Editor: More signs that China is about to "throw in the towel" on North Korea .... China unlikely to come to North Korea’s defence if tensions escalate over nuclear weapons tests, say Chinese experts (South China Morning Post). But this was not the case at the beginning .... How North Korea got its "Made in China" Nukes (Peter Navarro, RCD).