Satellite images show that the North Korean regime has started operating a nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon complex

North Korea is reported to be operating a nuclear reactor at its Yongbyon complexAccording to the American Information Portal, 38 north.

The website specialized in North Korea was released in the last hours approximately Satellite images were taken recently in the Asian country what they show Intermittent discharge of water from the 5 MW nuclear reactor into the outlet channel leading to the Koryong River.

“The images show the water spill from August 25 to at least September 9, and no water was detected on October 1, but was spotted the next day,” it posts. 38 north.

Intermittent spillage is frequent when the reactor is running, although there are no other indications that it is actually running, qualifying the gate.

In this particular week, 38 north I also mentioned that North Korea may operate its uranium enrichment plant After capturing satellite construction activity at the same Yongbyon nuclear complex, which houses the country’s nuclear scientific research center.

The suspicions coincide with a report from International Atomic Energy Agency (International Atomic Energy Agency) published last August, in which it was suggested that Pyongyang could have reactivated the complex’s 5-megawatt reactor, by monitoring the activity of cooling water discharge.

In the past, North Korea would reprocess spent reactor fuel rods for use in nuclear weapons.According to the South Korean agency, Yonhapwhich echoed the news as well.

This potential activation of nuclear energy for weapons use is framed at a time when North Korea just restored direct contact with South Korea at the beginning of this month, with inter-Korean dialogue restarting again after being stagnant since June 2020. The North blew up the liaison office.

Another missile launch in late September

After two weeks They fired two ballistic missiles into the sea, North Korea launched a “unidentified shell” At sea off the east coast, the South Korean military said in late September. General Staff South Korea No further details were provided about the event.

“North Korea fired unidentified projectiles into the East Sea”The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a brief statement that it did not specify the time or location of the launch.

Ministry of Defense Japan, which also revealed the launch, indicated for its part that it could again be a ballistic-type projectile, which is authorized by the United Nations.

The projectile was fired as North Korea was preparing to open a session of its official parliament, the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Meanwhile, last month, Ambassador North Korea said before The General Assembly of the United Nations that “no one can deny” Your country has the right to test your weapons.

“We build our national defense only in order to reliably protect the security and peace of the country”Ambassador Kim Sung said in New York, He spoke shortly after the South Korean military announced that Pyongyang had fired a bullet “unidentified shell” On the sea off the east coast of the peninsula.

“No one can deny the self-defense right of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (People’s Republic of Korea) to develop, test, manufacture and possess weapons systems equivalent to those it owns or is developing.Kim said, referring to South Korea and the United States.

Pyongyang is subject to various international sanctions for its banned programmes nuclear weapons And ballistic missiles. Already carried out Various weapons tests last monthOne with a long-range cruise missile and the other with a short-range ballistic missile, according to the South Korean military.

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