[ad_1]
The dam near North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex broke due to the effects of the storm, causing potential problems for the operation of the reactor.
38 North, North Korea’s analysis and monitoring organization based in the United States, released on September 25 a commercial satellite image taken on September 21 showing the damage to the Kuryong River water level control dam. near the site. The Yongbyon nuclear complex in North Pyongan province is more than 100 km north of the capital Pyongyang.
The drop in the water level in the dam left the two pumping plants supplying the reactors in a state of “depletion” and exposing the discharge outlets.
The dam site broke near North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex in satellite images on September 21. Image: 38 North.
“Not maintaining a constant reservoir level poses a potential problem for continuous operations” if the 5-megawatt nuclear reactor is restarted or if the Light Water Test Reactor (ELWR) enters operators, 38 North said.
North Korean state media reported earlier this month that the country suffered extensive damage from recent storms, prompting Kim Jong-un to reconsider the major projects planned for this year. Satellite images from August also showed that flooding threatened the Yongbyon nuclear plant.
North Korea regards the Yongbyon plant as the “jewel” of its nuclear program. Built in 1979, this facility produced plutonium and the materials necessary for Pyongyang to conduct its first atomic bomb test in 2006.
At the second summit between the United States and North Korea in late February 2019, North Korean leaders proposed removing this facility in exchange for Washington lowering sanctions against Pyongyang. However, US President Donald Trump and his advisers did not accept the proposal, causing the conference to end without reaching an agreement as expected.
Flee him (Follow Bloomberg, Yonhap)
