Neutrino detectors for cooperative threat reduction in North Korea

Physicists from East Asia, Europe, and the United States have proposed meter-scale neutrino detectors as a tool for cooperative threat reduction in North Korea. These detectors offer a concrete but minimally invasive means for North Korea to demonstrate compliance with a reactor shutdown agreement at its Yongbyon site. If deployed cooperatively, neutrino detectors would also provide an opportunity for technical personnel from North Korea and other nations to work together. This joint work, which would not require exchange of sensitive information, could help to rebuild trust and redirect North Korean scientists and engineers to non-military applications. Capable neutrino detectors could be constructed inside standard shipping containers, using demonstrated technology described in the open scientific literature.