Satellite images show heightened activity at North Korean missile assembly site

After an abrupt end to the Hanoi summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, satellite images suggest North Korea may be preparing to launch a missile or space rocket in the near future.

This satellite image captured on Feb. 22 and provided by DigitalGlobe, shows Sanumdong research center on the outskirts of Pyongyang, North Korea. Source: DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company

New satellite images have surfaced showing activity at a North Korean missile assembly site.

Images taken on February 22, appear to show cars and trucks parked near a facility and rail cars in a nearby rail yard, where two cranes are erected.

They were taken at the Sanumdong facility near Pyongyang where ballistic missiles and satellite-launching rockets have previously been assembled.

 

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The pictures come two days after images displayed increased activity at a North Korean satellite launching centre on the country’s West Coast.

This satellite image captured on February 22 shows the Sanumdong research centre on the outskirts of Pyongyang, North Korea.

DigitalGlobe

 

Melissa Hanham is a weapons analyst and researcher at the One Earth Future Foundation, who has examined these images.

She said the images are more likely connected to a satellite launch than any military missile activity.  

“It is unlikely that it is anything but a space launch if a space launch at all,” she said.

w3RmNsXq?format=jpg&name=600x314 Activity At 2nd North Korean Missile Site Indicates Possible Launch Preparations Vehicles and rail cars appeared in late February at Sanumdong, a facility where the North has built some of its largest rockets and missiles. npr.org

Activity has been spotted at the missile assembly site.

DigitalGlobe