N.K. missile site shows no signs of preparations for rocket or engine test: 38 North
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's satellite launching site shows no signs of preparations for a rocket launch or engine test, a U.S. monitor said Wednesday.
Commercial satellite imagery on Dec. 23 of the Sohae satellite launching station, also known as the Dongchang-ri site, showed efforts to clear snow off roads, including the one leading from the vertical engine test stand to the VIP observation facility, 38 North said on its website.
The test stand itself remained snow-covered, it said. Entrance ways, parking lots and courtyards were also cleared, with snow-clearing patterns suggesting that nearby buildings were being staffed.
"Recent commercial satellite imagery of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station indicates that, while the facility is being maintained, there are no observable signs of preparations for either a rocket launch or engine test," 38 North said, adding that imagery from Jan. 14 also showed little other activity.
North Korea conducted what it called "important" tests at the facility on Dec. 7 and 13. The announcements spurred speculation that the regime was preparing to launch a long-range rocket in protest of stalled denuclearization negotiations with the United States.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS' RM to prerelease a track of 2nd solo album
-
BTS' Jungkook's 'Seven' chosen as hottest hit outside U.S.
-
From pastime to academic discipline: Exhibition spotlights evolution of Korean embroidery
-
Gov't to open 10 trails near DMZ for visitors next month
-
Number of N. Korean defectors entering S. Korea reaches 43 in Q1
-
From pastime to academic discipline: Exhibition spotlights evolution of Korean embroidery
-
BTS' RM to prerelease a track of 2nd solo album
-
BTS' Jungkook's 'Seven' chosen as hottest hit outside U.S.
-
Trump suggests U.S. could withdraw its troops if S. Korea does not contribute more to support USFK: TIME
-
Number of N. Korean defectors entering S. Korea reaches 43 in Q1
-
Anti-terrorism alert raised for 5 overseas S. Korean diplomatic missions
-
(3rd LD) Russia sent more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to N. Korea in March: White House
-
Hybe's sublabel head demanded unilateral contract termination authority for NewJeans: sources
-
S. Korean military shoots down unidentified balloon near western maritime border in March
-
U.S. releases new cybersecurity advisory against N.K.-linked cyber incursion group