Recent satellite imagery from the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University shows that smoke is rising from a plutonium production facility in North Korea, raising suspicions about activities there.
The image, dated March 12, shows smoke rising from a chimney stake at the Nyongbyon nuclear complex. The researchers say the smoke was observed on 2 or 3 occassions over the partial 5 weeks. It is unknown if this means reprocessing of additional plutonoum underway at the facility or will be in the near future. But they note that US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper stated in February that North Korea could begin extracting plutonium within a few weeks or months.
Last year, North Korea said that all facilities at the Nyongbyon facility have resumed normal operations.
Source: NHK WORLD
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