North Korea Fires-Up A New Nuclear Reactor While Reducing The Number Of Soldiers At Its Nuclear Test Site

Image from DigitalGlobe via Jane’s Intelligence Review

New York Times: North Korea Is Firing Up a Reactor. That Could Upset Trump’s Talks With Kim.

If President Trump actually meets Kim Jong-un in the next few months — an encounter that many American officials still doubt will come to pass — his challenge will be much larger than merely persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

Mr. Trump must also get Pyongyang to give up the factories, reactors and nuclear-enrichment facilities that produce the nuclear fuel needed to build more weapons — even as new satellite evidence suggests that North Korea is expanding its production.

The satellite image above shows a new North Korean reactor that appears to be coming online now, after years of construction, according to analysts. It sits in the Yongbyon nuclear complex, where the North began its nuclear program in the 1960s. Today, the site boasts hundreds of buildings that lie along a loop of the Kuryong River and cover an area of more than three square miles.

North Korea insists the reactor is intended to produce electricity for civilian use. But the new reactor can also make plutonium, one of the main fuels used in nuclear arms. It can thus supplement the output of the aging, existing facilities at Yongbyon.

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WNU Editor: Talk about denuclearizing while firing-up a new nuclear reactor .... this is not going to impress anyone. As for the North Korean regime reducing its military presence at its main nuclear test site .... my gut is telling me that the reason why they are moving troops out is because the area is contaminated, and not safe for anyone to stay there for any long period of time.

More News On North Korea Firing-Up A New Nuclear Reactor While Reducing The Number Of Soldiers At Its Nuclear Test Site

New activity seen at North Korea nuclear site -- CBS/AP
North Korea begins testing experimental reactor at nuclear site despite 'denuclearization' talk -- FOX News

North Korea orders sharp cut in troop strength at nuclear site -- Asahi Shimbun
Report: North Korea reduces troops near main nuclear facility -- UPI