SEOUL – A resumption of the nuclear reactor at North Korea’s Yongbyon facility could have serious consequences, and not just for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

While it has not been clarified whether the nuclear reactor has been relaunched, satellite images released on August 31 by 38 North, a website run by the U.S.-Korea Institute, showed steam rising from the nuclear complex.

Russian sources said yesterday that the site is severely outdated and could result in a nuclear disaster if relaunched. This view has been echoed by South Korean analysts.

“The reactor is severely outdated and in worse condition than the USSR’s