North Korea's nuclear site, rocket launching station show new activity

New activity is visible at North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear site, where Pyongyang conducted its fifth nuclear test in September.

Writing for 38 North, a Johns Hopkins University website dedicated to North Korea issues, analyst Jack Liu stated on Thursday satellite imagery from Oct. 1 show "continuing activity" at all three tunnels on site.

Activity at the North Portal, the site of the last test, could be taking place for a number of reasons: data collection, shutdown or preparations for a sixth test, according to Liu.

There is also activity at the South Portal and several carts of vehicles at the West Portal.

U.S. and South Korean intelligence have picked up on other activity at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan province, Yonhap reported Friday.

The site where Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket to send a satellite into orbit in February is the center of a "visible increase" in activity, a senior South Korean official said.

"It appears that they are making preparations, possibly for a long-range missile launch, or another strategic provocation," the official said...
 [upi.com]
7/10/16
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