North Korea shows satellite signs of restarting nuclear bomb fuel reactor

A U.S. research group said that it looks like North Korea is restarting its nuclear bomb fuel reactor, which has been shut down for five months.

The development — which comes based on analysis of commercial satellite imagery — hasn’t been confirmed yet, The Associated Press reported. But the United States is waiting for confirmation with concern. Tensions have increased between North Korea and the West because of increased sanctions imposed on the regime by the United States.

The Nyongbyon reactor is closely watched by the West because North Korea is believed to have a few crude nuclear bombs and the growing capacity to build an arsenal of nuclear tipped missiles with range to hit the United States, AP reported.

Nyongbyon is also a producer of plutonium that’s been used for prior nuclear test explosions, AP said.

It was shuttered in 2007 under an agreement and restarted for a time in 2013. The plant’s been idle for about five months, though, AP reported.

Images taken between Dec. 24 and Jan. 11 show that the reactor could be starting up operations again. Early signs of operation include the draining of hot water from a pipe at a turbine building, and snow melt on the roofs of reactor and turbine buildings — indicators of activity, AP said.