This study presents a method for analyzing the surface temperatures of specific facilities, such as the 5 MWe reactor within the Yongbyon Nuclear Complex, to explore its potential utility in monitoring suspected nuclear-related activities in North Korea using thermal infrared (TIR) satellite imagery (Landsat series). TIR band data is utilized to derive surface temperatures in the specified areas, and the temperatures are analyzed on a monthly basis to examine any patterns within these regions. This research provides a pattern-of-life on temperature variation for the target areas through multiple TIR image datasets, offering additional information to analyze facilities’ operational status in remote and inaccessible regions.

• Gayeon Ha(Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC)) Corresponding author
• Jae-Jun Han(Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC))