美韩研究所：朝鲜核反应堆可能恢复运作

A Washington-based research group says North Korea has likely restarted a plutonium reactor, possibly making good on a pledge to expand its nuclear weapons program.

The U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University based its conclusion on recent satellite photos that appear to show white steam emerging from a building near the reactor at the North\'s main Yongbyon nuclear complex.

The reactor was shut down in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament deal. But in April, Pyongyang warned it would restart all operations at Yongbyon to boost its nuclear force in both "quantity and quality."

The institute\'s researchers say the color and the volume of the white steam seen emerging from the building in the August 31 commercial satellite photos suggest the reactor has been put back into operation.

South Korean officials say they are still working to find out if the reactor has been restarted.

约翰•霍普金斯大学的美韩研究所根据最近的卫星图片做出了上述结论。卫星图片显示，朝鲜主要的宁边核设施反应堆附近的一座建筑里冒出白色气体。

按照一项以援助换去核化协议，这座反应堆于2007年关闭。但平壤今年4月警告说，将全面恢复宁边核设施的运作，以便从“数量和质量”两方面增强其核能力。

美韩研究所的报告说，从8月31日拍摄到的商业卫星图片来看，那座建筑中冒出气体的量及颜色显示反应堆正在运作。

韩国官员说，他们仍在努力寻找这座反应堆是否启动的证据。