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SEOUL, South Korea — A new satellite image shows North Korea has completed a key step in the construction of a light-water reactor at its main nuclear complex, though it may take several more years before it is fully operational, an analyst said Tuesday.

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North Korea says the reactor being built since 2010 at its Yongbyon complex is for electricity generation. But some experts have questioned the North’s intention since the reactor would give the country a reason to enrich uranium that could be used in nuclear bombs at higher levels.

North Korea revealed an industrial-scale uranium enrichment facility in 2010 and has vowed to bolster its nuclear capability, citing what it calls hostile U.S. policies toward the country.

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The satellite images taken by the GeoEye-1 satellite on Aug. 6 show a dome has been hoisted on top of the reactor building, Allison Puccioni at IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly said in a statement provided to The Associated Press.