Dongchang-ri unlikely to be fully restored, low possibility of missile launch: Seoul
- 5 years ago
Recent satellite imagery showed increased activity at North Korea's key missile sites.
It prompted the U.S. to say it was watching such moves very closely.
But South Korea's military confirmed on Wednesday that the site is not likely to be fully functional... and a rocket launch is also unlikely.
Oh Jung-hee reports.
North Korea is reportedly restoring key components at its Dongchang-ri missile engine test site, which was dismantled last year July,... and increased activity has been detected at Saneum-dong, where Pyeongyang previously assembled its ICBMs.
These reports are raising concerns on whether the North is preparing for a possible missile launch in the near future... following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit.
But Seoul's military confirmed -- for the first time -- that these sites are not likely to be fully restored... and there's a low possibility of a rocket launch.
On Wednesday, Seoul's defense ministry briefed the National Assembly's defense committee.
The military explained that the North has almost finished restoring the Dongchang-ri missile engine test site physically... but added it's not clear whether the site is fully functional.
Defense authorities also ruled out the possibility of a missile launch anytime soon, saying even if the site is operating normally, the regime would need more time to prepare for an actual missile launch.
According to the military, Pyeongyang started restoring the missile site before the Hanoi summit... to prepare for inspections by international experts, once the summit succeeded.
Seoul's unification ministry shares the same idea.
On the day before, the vice minister said there's not much significant movement at the site... and that recent reports shouldn't lead to an "unnecessary" escalation of tension.
"We are seeing that North Korea is continuously stating its will to maintain dialogue, not cause instability."
Why North Korea is rebuilding its key missile site right now is yet to be seen.
But some watchers say the recent moves are part of Kim Jong-un's efforts to keep Trump's attention.
They add... because Kim wants the sanctions to be lifted above any other condition,... he would want to continue negotiations with Trump... and won't go ahead with a missile test which will only lead to tougher sanctions.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
It prompted the U.S. to say it was watching such moves very closely.
But South Korea's military confirmed on Wednesday that the site is not likely to be fully functional... and a rocket launch is also unlikely.
Oh Jung-hee reports.
North Korea is reportedly restoring key components at its Dongchang-ri missile engine test site, which was dismantled last year July,... and increased activity has been detected at Saneum-dong, where Pyeongyang previously assembled its ICBMs.
These reports are raising concerns on whether the North is preparing for a possible missile launch in the near future... following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit.
But Seoul's military confirmed -- for the first time -- that these sites are not likely to be fully restored... and there's a low possibility of a rocket launch.
On Wednesday, Seoul's defense ministry briefed the National Assembly's defense committee.
The military explained that the North has almost finished restoring the Dongchang-ri missile engine test site physically... but added it's not clear whether the site is fully functional.
Defense authorities also ruled out the possibility of a missile launch anytime soon, saying even if the site is operating normally, the regime would need more time to prepare for an actual missile launch.
According to the military, Pyeongyang started restoring the missile site before the Hanoi summit... to prepare for inspections by international experts, once the summit succeeded.
Seoul's unification ministry shares the same idea.
On the day before, the vice minister said there's not much significant movement at the site... and that recent reports shouldn't lead to an "unnecessary" escalation of tension.
"We are seeing that North Korea is continuously stating its will to maintain dialogue, not cause instability."
Why North Korea is rebuilding its key missile site right now is yet to be seen.
But some watchers say the recent moves are part of Kim Jong-un's efforts to keep Trump's attention.
They add... because Kim wants the sanctions to be lifted above any other condition,... he would want to continue negotiations with Trump... and won't go ahead with a missile test which will only lead to tougher sanctions.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.