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As promised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the summit with the US President in Singapore, Pyongyang began dismantling a missile launch center.
A satellite image of July 22 shows, according to a US research group, the partial dismantling of the facilities at the rocket launch site in Sohae. (Photo: AP)
After spending a little over two weeks on the visit of US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo to North Korea, the fronts between Pjongjang and Washington have hardened despite the Singapore summit on June 12 there are signs of relaxation. Based on satellite images, the North American site 38north.org concludes that North Korea has begun to remove parts of the rocket launch site off the northwest coast, Sohae, about two weeks ago . North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has promised such a transfer to US President Donald Trump in Singapore.
This development could be considered as evidence that Pompeo's visit to Pyongyang may have been more successful than the harsh criticism of North Korean propaganda suggested after the meeting. At the time, the official KCNA news agency said that the attitude of the United States during the negotiations was "really unfortunate". However, there is no feeling of bad mood on the American side. On the contrary, Trump said via Twitter that North Korea has not fired a rocket for nine months. "Japan is happy, all Asia is happy," concluded the president
. Pjongjang Intelligent Movement
Joseph Bermudez, who evaluated the commercial satellite images of 20 and 22 July for 38north.org, ranks the distribution of the test site as a significant measure of confidence-building in the North. Koreans. As of 2012, Sohae was considered the central location for transporting satellites into orbit. At the same time, according to Bermudez, the factory has played an important role in the development of long-range North Korean missiles; Meanwhile, experts say, even the American continent is at hand. In addition, North Korea has also operated a test facility for rocket engines in Sohae; The satellite images on this part of the site also show signs of dismantling.
Now known disarmament measures, which have not yet been confirmed by North Korean propaganda, can be understood as an intelligent maneuver. Kim demonstrates his willingness to stick to the Singapore Accords and the goal of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. A potentially angry trump will be sedated again.
The extent of the reduction measures in Sohae is, however, another issue. Journalist Ankit Panda, specializing in security issues, doubts that Sohae, in North Korea, is seriously considering uninstalling the factory. There are signs that this process can be reversed again. A final verdict will be difficult as long as Pjongjang will not allow international inspections on the site, writes Panda.
Solid Propellant Rockets
Another doubt remains as to a real setback for the Pjongjang missile program. Kim Jong Un has repeatedly stressed that his country has embarked on the mass production of rockets. In other words, from the point of view of the North Korean military, the many tests of previous years have yielded the expected results, putting into perspective the importance of a site of 39; test.
Pjongjang has also changed its strategy in recent months. Solid fuel to drive. This reduces the need for a test facility like that of Sohae, which is focused on LNG rocket engines. Solid fuel rockets offer various logistical and handling benefits to the North Korean military. According to military expert Christian Becker, solid rocket rockets, unlike missile missiles, do not require fixed installations to position them and prepare for launch. Just a carrier vehicle. That's why these rockets are very mobile and easier to camouflage. As a result, solid rocket rockets in the United States have prepared much more headaches for the US military than conventional LPG engines, Becker said.
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