JessieBesson
The latest satellite image shows that North Korea may be about to test its rocket engine at Sohae, the Trump test site has confirmed it has been removed.
A satellite image taken on December 5 of Panet Labs shows new activities at the Sohae Satellite Launch Station (also known as Tongchang-ri) and the presence of a large container at the facility's engine test site, according to Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nuclear Nonproliferation Program at Middlebury Institute.
A satellite image of December 5 shows new activity at Korea's Sohae test ground Photo: Planet Labs
The arrival of this 10-meter-long container indicates that North Korea is turning to testing engines used to launch satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles at Sohae, according to Lewis. While engine testing is considered to be less provocative than rocket or satellite launches, Lewis says the operation at Sohae is a significant development and is a step towards the launch of weapons of an astonishing nature. more threatening.
The Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have not commented on the analysis related to the image.
The new activity at Sohae sent a clear message to US President Donald Trump after the North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister earlier this week warned Pyongyang to prepare "Christmas presents" for Washington. However, the official said that the US will decide for itself the gift received, referring to the "year-end deadline" given by Kim Jong-un in April, which requires the US to lift orders. sanctions hinder North Korea's economy ahead of time.
Sohae launch site, also known as Tongchang-ri (black circle) Photo: SPACE.com
Kim Jong-un pledged to dismantle Sohae launch site during his first summit with Trump in Singapore in June 2018, then reiterated again at a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in September 2018. The US president later confirmed that the test site had been dismantled.
US-North Korea relations have shown signs of tension recently when Trump called Kim Jong-un a "rocket man" at a meeting with NATO leaders earlier this week and implicitly warned the US could use force in the event of a case. necessary. North Korean officials have said that Kim Jong-un was "dissatisfied" with the US president's comments and warned the country would respond accordingly if Washington took military measures.
