A U.S. Web site devoted to analysis of North Korea says the North is nearing completion of an experimental light water reactor (ELWR) at its nuclear site in Yongbyon.

The Web site, 38 North of Johns Hopkins University, made the assessment after comparing recent satellite imagery of Yongbyon with past photos.

The Web site said that if the North has the fuel needed to power the reactor, “the facility could begin a start-up period by mid-2013 that precedes the facility becoming fully operational.”

Early last month, North Korea announced that it will restart the five-megawatt graphite moderated reactor in Yongbyon which was shut down along with other nuclear facilities in line with an agreement reached during six-way nuclear talks in October 2007.