As North Korea intensifies testing of its ballistic missile technology, a U.S. website said Friday it also sees further signs from satellite imagery that North Korea is looking to produce more plutonium for nuclear weapons.
The website 38 North, which monitors sites in North Korea associated with its weapons programs, says that an image taken Monday at the Nyongbyon nuclear complex shows a rail flatcar at radiochemical laboratory complex where the North separates weapons-grade plutonium from waste from a nuclear reactor.
It says the tanks or casks seen on the flatcar could be used to supply chemicals or haul out waste products. In recent weeks, exhaust plumes have been seen at the laboratory, also suggesting that nuclear reprocessing activity could be in the works.
“The presence of a loaded flatcar, together with the presence of exhaust plumes, suggest that North Korea is preparing or conducting a reprocessing campaign to separate more plutonium for weapons,” says the analysis by Joseph S. Bermudez, a specialist in satellite imagery and North Korea’s military.
South Korean and U.S. officials said Friday that North Korea conducted a failed launch of what was reportedly an untested mid-range missile that could one day be capable of reaching far-off U.S. military bases in Asia and the Pacific. It is the latest in a series of provocations. The North conducted its fourth, underground nuclear test explosion in January and a long-range rocket launch in February that drew the strongest international sanctions yet against Pyongyang.
Separating plutonium is one of two avenues North Korea has to produce fissile material for bombs. The North announced in 2013 its intention to restart a reactor which had been shuttered for years. This February, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told Congress that North Korea has been operating the reactor long enough that it could begin recovering material for nuclear weapons “within a matter of weeks to months.”
Last week, the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington-based think tank, said that there’s growing indications that North Korea is separating plutonium but said it’s hard to say with certainty. It estimated that the reactor could have produced about 5 to 7 kilograms (11 to 15 pounds) of weapon-grade plutonium since its 2013 restart — enough for one to three nuclear weapons.
Pyongyang is already believed to have a handful of crude nuclear bombs and is making progress toward having a nuclear-tipped missile that could reach the U.S. mainland.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
MacArthur was correct 65 years ago.
The little $&it wad ought to be killed or de-throned, but we don’t have any leadership anymore. Obama will probably not intervene and if South Korea starts an assault against him the whole world will be in a “mell-uv-a-Hess” . WWIII for sure, especially when Putin joins in. He is trying to instigate problems now……… Lord, We need some Leaders!
We have apathetic political leaders and yes men who wear stars on their shoulders.
It is baffling that our leaders haven’t been more serious about North Korea’s nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, this can’t be blamed on Mr. Obama. The blame started long ago. Many US Presidents/Congressional leaders have appeased crazy Kim. Obviously, one reason is China-North Korea’s boss. War with one would include both. We need to hope that saner military leaders in North Korea give this crazy Kim a dirt bath.
Arthur:
Unfortunately, this can’t be blamed on Mr. Obama.
Given, North Korea was giving problems years ago, but they were kept at bay because, the United States had some real men in office that didn’t mind opening up a can of whip-a$$ and North Korea knew it. The United States used to be respected by the whole world. Even our enemies knew better than to push too much in our direction. Yes sir, every ounce of this crap from Putin buzzing our ships to this blantent slap in the face from North Korea in Directly related to the Obama administration and None other.
I hope I’m not admitting too much, but I have been in jail. Several times. The first time you enter that cell/cellblock area be ready for some violent confrontation. And when it happens, don’t back down. That’s the worst thing you can do. Just fight like hell. Hopefully you can convince them that you’re not an easy mark. Well, long story short, the US has been backing down to this guy. And now to get the initiative we have to really go crazy. Unfortunately, Obama and most of Congress are the backing down types. And we may pay heavily.