Most Popular
-
1
Two jailed for forcing disabled teens into prostitution
-
2
Trump picks ex-N. Korea policy official as his principal deputy national security adviser
-
3
Russia sent 'anti-air' missiles to Pyongyang, Yoon's aide says
-
4
S. Korea not to attend Sado mine memorial: foreign ministry
-
5
North Korean leader ‘convinced’ dialogue won’t change US hostility
-
6
Hyundai Motor’s Genesis US push challenged by Trump’s tariff hike: sources
-
7
Toxins at 622 times legal limit found in kids' clothes from Chinese platforms
-
8
[Weekender] Korea's traditional sauce culture gains global recognition
![[Weekender] Korea's traditional sauce culture gains global recognition](//res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/11/21/20241121050153_0.jpg&u=20241123224317)
-
9
BLACKPINK's Rose stays at No. 3 on British Official Singles chart with 'APT.'
-
10
Oasis confirms first Korean concert in 16 years
![[Weekender] Korea's traditional sauce culture gains global recognition](http://res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/11/21/20241121050153_0.jpg&u=20241123224317)
북한이 올해 여름과 가을 수해를 입은 핵실험 시설을 수리하고 결심만 하면 3차 핵실험을 할 수 있는 상태라고 미국 존스홉킨스대 국제관계대학원 산하 한미연구소가 28일 밝혔다.
한미연구소는 이날 자체 운영하는 북한 동향분석 웹사이트 '38 노스'에서 지난 13일 촬영한 위성사진 등을 분석한 결과, 북한이 함경북도 길주군 풍계리 핵실험장 에서 핵실험 준비태세를 유지하고 있다고 말했다.
38 노스에 따르면 풍계리 핵실험장이 심각한 수해로 주요 시설이 파괴됐으나 11 월 핵실험장 운영 능력을 회복했으며 혹한기 데이터 수집 장비 보호용으로 보이는 규명되지 않은 구조물도 새로 설치했다는 것이다.
한미연구소는 "북한이 정치적인 결정만 내리면 2주일 안에 핵실험을 실행할 수 있도록 핵실험장을 준비상태로 계속 유지하고 있다"면서 "그러나 핵실험장 남쪽 갱 도 입구에서 나오는 물줄기 형태를 봤을 때 불가측성도 있다"고 지적했다.
전문가들은 북한이 풍계리 핵실험장 남쪽 갱도에서 3차 핵실험을 실시할 것으로 보고 있다.
한미연구소는 북한이 핵실험 준비상태를 계속 유지하려면 갱도 내부 핵실험 장 치와 관련 데이터 수집용 감지기에 손상이 가지 않도록 물이 불어나는 것을 막아야 하지만 물줄기의 흐름상 스며 나온 양에 문제가 있어 보인다고 설명했다.
이 문제가 통제된 상태인지 아니면 해결됐는지 불분명하다고 한미연구소는 고백 했다.
미국과 동맹국들이 유엔 안전보장이사회에서 이달 초 장거리 로켓을 시험발사한 북한에 대한 강경 제재를 촉구하고 있는 가운데 북한이 제3차 핵실험을 실시할 것이 라는 우려가 커지고 있다. (연합뉴스)
N. Korea is nuclear test-ready: US think-tank
North Korea has repaired extensive rain damage at its nuclear test facility and could conduct a detonation on two weeks notice, a US think-tank said Friday, citing satellite imagery analysis.
With the UN Security Council debating possible sanctions against the North following the launch earlier this month of a long-range rocket, there has been widespread speculation that Pyongyang may carry out its third nuclear test.
Satellite photos as recent as December 13 show that Pyongyang is determined to maintain a state of readiness at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said.
Following heavy flooding earlier in the year that destroyed key infrastructure elements, the North has moved quickly to restore its ability to operate the complex, it said on its closely followed website 38 North.
“They continue to maintain the test site at a state of readiness that could allow them to conduct a detonation as soon as two weeks after such a decision is made,” the institute reported.
However, it noted a possible “wildcard” in the form of a stream of water that appears to be coming from the entrance of the south tunnel at the test facility.
The flow indicates a possible problem with seepage that could adversely affect a nuclear device and sensors intended to gather data and monitor the test.
“Whether this problem is under control or has been solved remains unclear,” it said.
The US and its allies have called for tough sanctions against Pyongyang for the rocket launch which they saw as a disguised ballistic missile test that violated UN sanctions imposed after the North‘s previous nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.
Both of those tests were conducted in the wake of long-range missile launches.
The North’s only major ally and main economic supporter, China, is resisting any significant tightening of sanctions already in place.
However, analysts say another nuclear test would severely test Beijing‘s patience with its unpredictable neighbour. (AFP)
