North Korea’s experimental light water nuclear reactor is expected to become fully operational next summer, but is unlikely to be used to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said.
Last week, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also expressed concern over the detection of signs of activity at the reactor at North Korea’s main Yongbyon nuclear complex, the official South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
Grossi said that the IAEA had detected signs that North Korea had activated the reactor since mid-October, such as a strong outflow of water from the cooling system, and that the experimental reactor, like other nuclear reactors, could produce plutonium, an important nuclear weapons fuel.
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Shin said Seoul had detected signs that cooling water had been drained from the reactor since last summer and estimated that it would probably take about a year for North Korea to bring the reactor back to full operation.
“The reactor is currently undergoing test operation to make improvements to its equipment and facilities. It is expected to operate normally until next summer.”
Shin expressed suspicion that the reactor was probably used to produce plutonium, noting that light water reactors are usually used for electricity generation.
Shin continued his statement as follows:
“North Korea may be testing to energize the Yongbyon region. North Korea has also tried to build a tactical nuclear submarine for military purposes, and tests to develop a small reactor could use light water reactors.”
He said it could also be used to produce tritium, which is used in hydrogen bombs.
Shin also said that North Korea is expected to carry out ‘strategic provocations’ in the new year, possibly to influence the US presidential election in November, and that there are signs of activity towards the launch of solid-fuel intercontinental and medium-range ballistic missiles.
North Korea began building the experimental reactor more than a decade ago, which is known to have a larger capacity than the 5-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon that it uses to produce plutonium.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted several resolutions imposing sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear weapons development and related activities.
Jeffrey Lewis, an independent US nuclear expert, reported that North Korea’s commissioning of a light water nuclear reactor could allow the country to add 10 kilograms, 20 kilograms or more of plutonium for its nuclear weapons annually.
In September, an amendment to North Korea’s constitution was unanimously adopted to safeguard the country’s right to exist and develop, deter war, and preserve regional and global peace by rapidly developing nuclear weapons to a higher level.
This change came a year after the regime adopted a new law authorizing the pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons.
