Earth is displaced during an explosion on the first day of dismantling at North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Punggye-ri, North Korea, 24 May 2018. On 24 May North Korea started to demolish its Punggye-ri nuclear test facility, in the country's northeast. Photo by NEWS 1 KOREA / EPA
July 31 (Asia Today) -- Nearly half of the North Korean defectors tested last year after living near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site showed chromosomal changes above a minimum detection threshold, South Korea's Unification Ministry said Friday.
The ministry cautioned, however, that the findings did not establish a connection between the individuals' radiation exposure and North Korea's nuclear tests.
The Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences conducted biological radiation tests on 59 defectors from eight cities and counties near Punggye-ri in North Hamgyong Province.
The group included former residents of Kilju, Hwadae, Kimchaek, Myonggan, Myongchon, Orang, Tanchon and Paekam.
