North Korea appears to be increasing its capability to mine and process uranium, possibly to fuel light water nuclear reactors, or possibly to increase its stockpile of nuclear weapons.  The latest satellite photos show that North Korea is modernizing and upgrading an existing facility located next to its uranium mine in the south of the country.

Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis of the California's Monterey Institute of International Studies writes in the blog "38 North" that the facility at Pyongsan is used to mill uranium ore into yellowcake.  That's a necessary step before it is fashioned into reactor fuel, or loaded into centrifuges to become fissionable material for weaponry. 

"Since 2013, most of the buildings have received new roofs," Lewis said.  "Other buildings appear to have been gutted and are now in the process of being rebuilt with new roofing."

"The significant investment in refurbishing the mill suggests that North Korea is expecting to process significant amounts of uranium, either from the Pyongsan mine or other uranium mines."

North Korea analysts at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington estimate North Korea had from ten to 16 nuclear weapons at the beginning of this year.  But it is capable to growing that to as many as 100 by the end of the decade.

One person who won't be around to count them is former North Korean Vice Premier Choe Yong-gon.  He was reportedly put to death by a firing squad for apparently voicing his displeasure with leader Kim Jong-un.