Washington
\nNorth Korea has begun dismantling key facilities at a site used to develop engines for ballistic missiles, according to an analysis of satellite imagery of the location, the first significant step towards denuclearisation following last month\u2019s historic summit between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
The Sohae Satellite Launching Station has been the main site for North Korean satellite launches since 2012. The testing facilities at the site are thought to play a role in the development of liquid-fuel engines that can also be used in North Korea\u2019s ballistic missile programme.<\/p>\n
The images published by 38 North, a US-based website focused on North Korea that is affiliated with the Stimson Centre in Washington, were taken on July 20 and July 22, respectively.<\/p>\n
New commercial satellite imagery of the Sohae station indicates that the North has begun dismantling key facilities, the 38 North said in a report.<\/p>\n
If the analysis of the satellite imagery is accurate, North Korea may be taking a small but significant step towards the disarmament that was agreed upon by the North Korean leader and President Trump during a landmark meeting in Singapore on June 12, it said.<\/p>\n
Most notably, these include the rail-mounted processing building\u2014where space launch vehicles are assembled before moving them to the launch pad\u2014and the nearby rocket engine test stand used to develop liquid-fuel engines for ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles, the 38 North said.<\/p>\n
Since these facilities are believed to have played an important role in the development of technologies for the North\u2019s intercontinental ballistic missile programme, these efforts represent a significant confidence-building measure on the part of North Korea, the North Korea-focused website said.<\/p>\n
According to 38 North, commercial satellite imagery of the launch pad from July 20 shows that the rail-mounted processing\/transfer structure has been moved to the middle of the pad, exposing the underground rail transfer point\u2014one of the few times it has been seen in this location.<\/p>\n
The roof and supporting structure have been partially removed and numerous vehicles are present, including a large construction crane, it said, adding that an image from two days later shows the continued presence of the crane and vehicles.<\/p>\n
Noting that considerable progress had been made in dismantling the rail-mounted processing\/transfer structure, it said one corner had been completely dismantled and the parts could be seen lying on the ground.<\/p>\n
In both images the two fuel\/oxidizer bunkers, main processing building and gantry tower remain untouched.<\/p>\n
38 North said the imagery of the vertical engine test stand from July 20 shows the presence of a crane and a number of vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rail-mounted environmental shelter\u2014which had not been moved since December 2017 has been razed and removed, the older fuel\/oxidizer bunkers are in the process of being razed, and portions of the test stand\u2019s upper steel framework have been dismantled and its panelling removed,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Two days later fewer vehicles are present and the test stand superstructure has been completely dismantled, leaving only the base, which is also in the process of being removed, it added.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo additional progress is noted on the demolition of the older fuel\/oxidizer bunkers. In both images, the two newer fuel\/oxidizer bunkers and vehicle garage remain untouched, as does the concrete foundation of the test stand. Given the state of activity, work is likely to have begun sometime within the past two weeks,\u201d 38 North said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, President Trump in a tweet on Monday rejected the \u2018Fake News\u2019 that he was angry because progress was not happening fast enough with North Korea.<\/p>\n
\u201cA Rocket has not been launched by North Korea in 9 months. Likewise, no Nuclear Tests. Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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