A U.S. research site reported today, Saturday, that satellite images have shown a high level of activity at North Korea's main nuclear site after the country's leader Kim Jong Un ordered an increase in bomb fuel production to expand the nation's nuclear arsenal.
The website "38 North," which monitors North Korea and is based in Washington, stated in a report that the observed activity, as per images taken on March 3 and March 17, could indicate that a light-water experimental reactor at the Yongbyon site is nearing completion and transitioning to operational status.
The report noted that images showed that a five-megawatt reactor in Yongbyon continued to operate and that construction work had begun on a support building around the experimental reactor. Additionally, water was observed being discharged from the cooling system of that reactor. New construction activities have also begun around the Yongbyon uranium enrichment plant, likely intended to expand its capabilities.
On Tuesday, Pyongyang unveiled new, smaller nuclear warheads and pledged to produce more fissile material for weapons to expand its arsenal, while denouncing the increased joint military drills between South Korea and the United States.
It remains unclear whether North Korea has fully developed the smaller nuclear warheads necessary to fit the smaller weapons it showcased. Analysts state that mastering the production of such warheads is likely to be a key objective if the country resumes nuclear tests for the first time since 2017.
