- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 34,951
- Reaction score
- 16,311
- Gender
- Undisclosed
- Political Leaning
- Socialist
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has stopped construction work at a site meant to launch bigger and better long-range rockets, a possible sign that Pyongyang is slowing or even halting development of larger rockets, according to a new analysis of recent satellite imagery.
The sight of unfinished roads and grass growing from the foundation of a large new rocket assembly building could be welcome news for Washington and others who see Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile work as a threat – though it is unknown if the work stoppage is only temporary.
Another unknown is why North Korea about eight months ago stopped construction on the launch pad, rocket assembly building and launch control center at what was intended to be a major new facility at the Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground on the northeast coast, according to analysis provided to The Associated Press by 38 North, the website for the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
But the analysis of May 26 commercial satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe and Astrium provides some possible scenarios about what’s happening.
Read more @: North Korea stops work on launchpad, could be slowing down long-range rocket program | National Post
It seems that the DPRK has stopped or temporarily slowed down construction on a major missile testing site and development facility. There are two scenarios of why. The fist is that because of heavy rains the troops were deployed to those areas to help with relief efforts, or the second is that they are just pretty much got the memo that they probably shouldn't be doing this because it has and will have really heavy consequences.