When North Korea Tries to Dump Nuclear Tunnels – A Hazy Affair
Everyone knows the plan: fire a volley of explosives into the dusty underground tunnels of Punggye‑ri and watch the world breathe a sigh of relief. In reality, it’s a bit like turning a bonfire into a rainstorm – you might feel something, but you won’t have any clue who in the world is actually dropping the flame.
Why an Explosion Is a Bad Idea
Here’s the skinny: a messy collapse can turn a handful of radioactive crumbs into a widespread disaster.
- Radioactive Re‑spreading: When a tunnel blows up, dust can hitch a ride on the air, spreading contamination further than the original kernels.
- Loot & Repurposing: Even buried nuclear material is often still there. Re‑digging it up might give the same folks a fresh chance to make another round‑up bomb.
- Re‑digging Ahead: Thanks to the surviving engineers, a new tunnel can pop up at the press of a button.
In short, a controlled blast is like treating a kitchen fire with a flood – it looks dramatic, but it may leave a range of nasty side‑effects.
What Experts Say – A Low‑Risk Victory?
Listening to the nuclear whisper‑network:
- Professor Suh Kune‑yull (Seoul National University) shouts, “Why blow up when you can fill with concrete or sand? Less drama, more safety.”
- Jon Wolfsthal (Nuclear Crisis Group) notes that if the tunnels were sealed correctly from the first bomb, there’s a slim chance of releasing radiation. But he warns that one or two destroyed tunnels might only look like a “physical barrier” rather than a hard stop.
And there’s still buzz that a handful of tunnels are still glowing with radioactive cheer.
History of Washing Out Nuclear Labs
We’ve seen this before. Let’s look at how other countries tackled the problem.
- US & Kazakhstan: In 1999 the U.S. spent $800,000 for a 100‑ton dynamic demo to collapse a Soviet tunnel. Cleaning up took 17 years and $150 million.
- France & Algeria: After 13 Sahara blasts, the IAEA report (2005) said most sites were low on residual radio. But locals still remember the 1962 “Beryl Incident” of dust that floated like a curse.
- South Africa: Dismantled its entire early‑wool test program in 1989, closing shafts without a single blast.
- US Nevada: Over 800 underground blasts, still open today (though none since 1992).
In essence, making a clean exit is a long, costly ballet that may never finish.
Can North Korea Truly Shut It Down?
Politicians around the world boot the door to the North Korean site for a closer look.
- The US State Dept. says a “permanent & irreversible closure” is a key step. But no official invite yet for independent monitors.
- China is on the fence: close to the site but not saying if it will supervise the demolition.
- The Global Times editorial paints a bright picture: opening the site would be a boon for the region.
Still, suspicions linger. Even if Kim Jong Un decides to sweep the site, experts warn that verification is just as critical as the banishment. A unilateral change would look good in the headlines but could hide another plot at the back.
Bottom Line
It’s a political gesture, not a technical finish line. Anyone else testing new tunnels says “yes” to the letter, “no” to the spirit – so let’s keep our eyes open and our skepticism handy.
