North Korea appears to be continuously operating its Yongbyon nuclear facility, according to a report by the U.S. North Korea-focused media outlet 38 North on the 7th (local time).
38 North analyzed commercial satellite images taken this year and noted that intermittent smoke was seen emanating from the radiochemical laboratory at the Yongbyon nuclear facility, along with evidence of melted snow on top of the uranium enrichment facility.
According to 38 North, satellite images taken on Jan. 30-31 showed smoke rising from the power plant. Although snow was generally accumulated on the buildings of the Yongbyon nuclear facility, smoke was also confirmed to be emanating from a section of the power plant's roof where the snow had melted away. Coal dust used for power generation was also captured between the power plant building and the coal mill.
In satellite images taken on the 9th of last month, no smoke was visible from the power plant, while smoke and steam from the chimney were observed again in the photos from Feb. 22.
38 North explained that this indicates that Kim Jong Un's directive to expand nuclear material production is being implemented. It is known that the Chairperson instructed to increase the production of highly enriched uranium (HEU) used for making nuclear warheads while overseeing the production facilities in September of last year.
Smoke from the power plant within the nuclear facility is generally considered a sign of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing and plutonium extraction. Since the renovation of the power plant at the Yongbyon nuclear facility was completed in July of last year, smoke has been intermittently observed.
38 North analyzed that the intermittent smoke emission pattern does not signal the start of a reprocessing cycle but may indicate lower-level activities such as waste disposal or preparations for reprocessing.
Satellite images taken on Jan. 31 showed melted snow on the roof of the main reactor and turbine generator building of the 5MWe reactor, along with steam rising from the area. Evidence of melted snow was also observed in the adjacent spent nuclear fuel storage, which was released due to the heat from spent nuclear fuel when the reactor was shut down in mid-October of last year. Satellite images taken on Jan. 31 and Feb. 22 of this year consistently showed water discharge from the 5MWe reactor.
These signs indicate that the reactor is back in operation after being shut down, according to 38 North.
Additionally, signs of melting snow were observed on the roof of the experimental light water reactor (ELWR), along with water discharge. 38 North reported that these features have been observed almost continuously since November 2023.
Earlier, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also stated on the 3rd at the IAEA's regular board meeting held in Vienna, Austria, that there are signs of continued operation at the uranium enrichment facilities in the Yongbyon and Kangson regions. Grossi noted, "The light water reactor within the Yongbyon nuclear facility continues to operate, and additional supporting infrastructure has been observed beside the light water reactor," adding, "It has been confirmed that the Yongbyon 5MWe reactor has resumed operations since October of last year."