Jane’s by IHS Markit Discovers Likely Operational Testing at North Korean Nuclear Reactor
March 16 2018 - 05:10AM
Business Wire
Analysis of satellite imagery suggests preliminary testing has
taken place
North Korea has recently initiated testing at one of its nuclear
reactor sites in Yongbyon, according to a new report from Jane’s by
IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO), a world leader in critical information,
analytics and solutions.
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DigitalGlobe imagery showing emissions
from the stack at the Yongbyon experimental light water reactor
(ELWR) on 25 February 2018, suggesting trial operations are under
way.
The report, which first appeared in Jane’s Intelligence
Review, analyses a range of commercially available satellite
imagery from 2017 and 2018, and concludes that preliminary testing
of North Korea’s experimental light water reactor (ELWR) at the
Yongbyon Atomic Energy Research Center has likely begun.
The analysis used DigitalGlobe imagery from 25 February to
identify an emission rising from the ELWR’s stack that implies
testing of the machinery at the site. The stack is intended to vent
non-condensable gases from the reactor’s primary circuit, and –
given that this is the first observation of such activity – it is
likely that North Korea is testing the flow path for
non-condensables for future operations.
About North Korea’s ELWR
The ELWR was structurally completed in 2013 and is optimised for
civilian electricity production, but has yet to become operational.
It also has ‘dual-use’ potential and can be modified to produce
material for nuclear weapons such as plutonium and tritium.
Jane’s conclusion that preliminary testing of the ELWR likely
began in late February follows on from its observation of numerous
indicators of increased activity at the ELWR that were visible
throughout 2017.
This increased activity – the emplacement of a three-phase power
line, a construction and dredging project to supply cooling water
to the ELWR’s cooling intake cisterns, and significant movement of
vehicles and personnel – was identified by analysts at Stanford
University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation
(CISAC) working on a report that was shared for publication in
Jane’s Intelligence Review.
With the ELWR test programme now likely to be under way, the
reactor itself could become operational with little warning later
in 2018 or in 2019, the Jane’s report said.
Given the current lack of international inspections, it is
currently not possible to assess with a high degree of confidence
whether the ELWR will fulfil a civilian electricity generation
function, or whether it will be diverted to produce weapons-grade
fissile material. Further monitoring of the type and cadence of
activity at the site is likely to reveal clues about North Korea’s
ultimate intentions.
About IHS Markit
(www.ihsmarkit.com)
IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) is a world leader in critical
information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and
markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers
next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers
in business, finance and government, improving their operational
efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed,
confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 business and
government customers, including 80 percent of the Fortune Global
500 and the world’s leading financial institutions.
IHS Markit is a registered trademark of IHS Markit Ltd. and/or
its affiliates. All other company and product names may be
trademarks of their respective owners © 2018 IHS Markit Ltd. All
rights reserved.
About Jane’s Intelligence
Review
Jane’s Intelligence Review is a security and intelligence
publication produced by IHS Markit.
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IHS MarkitJoanna Vickers, +44 207 260
2234joanna.vickers@ihsmarkit.comorPress
Team+1-303-305-8021press@ihsmarkit.com
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