US-based institute: satellite images show NKorea expanding its uranium enrichment plant

VIENNA – A U.S.-based institute tracking North Korea’s nuclear weapons program says recent satellite photos show the country is doubling the size of its uranium enrichment plant.

In March, North Korea said it was “readjusting and restarting” all facilities at its main Nyongbyon nuclear complex, including a closed plutonium reactor and a uranium enrichment plant. The technology can be used to create energy and the core of nuclear weapons.

The imagery — from Digital Globe and Astrium Geoinformation Services — was seen by The Associated Press ahead of its publication by the Institute for Science and International Security on Wednesday.

ISIS said the photos show construction under way to “effectively double” the size of the enrichment hall, which would allow North Korea to double the number of centrifuges now enriching uranium.