Commercial satellite imagery shows that North Korea is building an unknown type of vessel at a key shipyard that is also being used to equip submarines for missile tests, according to an analysis by 38 North.
The respected Johns Hopkins University website dedicated to analysis of North Korea adds that space images taken on September 21 indicate that previous work suggesting an imminent submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test have been put on hold.
“Given the continued movement of components in the parts yards, a shipbuilding program is probably underway although the type of vessel remains unknown,” 38 North analyst Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. wrote of the activity at North Korea’s Sinpo South Shipyard.
At the same time, Bermudez said: “There are no activities suggesting either previous or forthcoming ejection tests at the facility’s test stand.” Bermudez has been analyzing imagery of the site and reported earlier that an SLBM test from a special barge located at the shipyard might occur soon.
Bermudez cautioned, however, that a SINPO-class submarine, submersible test stand barge and nearby test stand at the site “appear capable of supporting a test at any time of Pyongyang’s choosing.”
North Korea is focusing on developing submarines that can launch nuclear-tipped missiles at the US and its allies.
Raymond William Tinkler Who made the provocative threats first ? Since the end of the Korean War, the U.S. has continuously mass up troops on the border of North Korea, openly and unabashedly agitating the Northerners to topple their govt, held huge invasionary military exercises. If you are a leader in the North, wouldn’t you prepare your country for a war of aggression by the U.S. The U.S. would topple any govt they don’t like. Look at Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, etc. They do not have strategic defensive weapons so that the U.S. just came ravaging their countries.
Bermudez cautioned, however, that a SINPO-class submarine, submersible test stand barge and nearby test stand at the site “appear capable of supporting a test at any time of Pyongyang’s choosing.”
North Korea is focusing on developing submarines that can launch nuclear-tipped missiles at the US and its allies.
In comment to this, I would suggest, a successful test, fired across Japan, or into even the Sea of Japan, will be the last rocket launch NK will conduct in peacetime, this is where North Korea will meet it’s doom. No if’s, no buts. I do not believe even Russia or China will excuse or accept this.
Nestor Zamora What factories and offices would they be Nestor? The ones they’re working at 24hrs a day to produce rockets and nuclear weapons at? Some glorious future for the ordinary people of NK, producing weaponry that because of the belicosity of it’s leaders will bring total destruction down on them because not only will the US not let it get to the point NK is able to achieve that against them, but also China and Russia will also turn against NK, as they are now doing. You are living in a fools dream Nestor if you and yours continue down this path. That is not a threat Nestor, but a statement of inevitability. Recognise it for North Korea’s sake.
Daniel Macaulley Odd you should have the same name as the Book. When it starts happening Daniel, if by then you are of that same opinion, some advice. Bend over, put your head between your knees, and kiss your A#s goodbye.
Esteban Fox I think Nestor is just an NK mouthpiece.
Augustine S. Tobai What, the ones you were allowed to see?
Because Nestor, as you obviously haven’t noticed, a nuclear arms reduction agreement has been brought about, and until Kim jong-un came along, no-one was actively ignoring that and also threatening to develop and use them against another country.
We just didn’t exterminate over 100 million like the communists
Nestor Zamora they learned from Venezuela?
……… and that country wich has killed more foreign innocent civilians then terrorists in so called war againt terrorism.