Satellite Map Yongbyon Nuclear Tower Destroyed

North Korea destroyed the cooling tower at its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon on June 27, 2008, in a symbolic show of its commitment to giving up its nuclear ambitions.

It’s a response to the United States’ decision to remove North Korea from its list of sponsors of terrorism. The cooling tower, North Korea’s main source of plutonium, is a 5-megawatt-electric reactor – MW (e) the most visible symbol of North Korea’s 20-year nuclear program. The reactor and the Radiochemical Laboratory ordered a “freeze” on the facilities inspectors in July of 2007. The site was observed to determine when the reactor was in use by analyzing satellite images that showed steam plumes coming from the cooling tower. This freeze was ordered under the “Agreed Framework” with the United States.

IKONOS Satellite Image Yongbyon Nuclear Tower

IKONOS Satellite Image Yongbyon Nuclear Tower 3D Terrain Flythrough

Click on the image to view the 3D Flythrough