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North Korea appears to have built new facilities at the country’s Yongbyon nuclear complex, the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), a US think tank, said in a report on June 10, citing new satellite imagery.

“Commercial satellite imagery shows additional construction or renovation activities that occurred in the last two years,” the ISIS said.

The findings suggest “more is going on at Yongbyon than commonly believed,” it added.

“These construction or renovation activities took place after monitors of the International Atomic Energy Agency and US experts were removed from North Korea in April 2009.”

The organization argued “The timing and location of these new buildings raise the possibility that these are related to North Korea’s uranium enrichment programme, the conversion of uranium, or fuel fabrication.”

South Korea looking to deploy Apache helicopters to one of its western sea border islands in preparation against possible surprise attacks from North Korea.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that it plans to import the helicopters next year and deploy them to Baengnyeong Island. Apache attack helicopters are designed to survive heavy attacks and inflict massive damage.　Such a plan is in response to the growing possibility of surprise attacks by North Korean special commandos.

Meanwhile, reports say Pyeongyang has completed the construction of a new naval base on Goampo and that it’s capable of accommodating about 60 air-cushioned vessels.

(Arirang News)