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Threat of resumption of missile tests in North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un addressing a conference of cell secretaries of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang. Photo:Reuters

 

The World Daily | News Desk           APRIL  7th   2021

 

It is possible that Pyongyang is preparing to test a ballistic missile launched from a submarine, the South Korean Yonhap agency reported, citing the findings of the American think tank Beyond Parallel.

The think tank, which is part of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), after analysing satellite images of the shipyards in Sinpo on the east coast of North Korea, collected on Tuesday, found that "the barge used for missile tests has been moved, which may be part of preparations tests of ballistic missile launched from a submarine (SLBM)".

The threat of resuming SLBM missile tests poses significant challenges to the administration of the US President Joe Biden and the government of the South Korean president Mun Dze Ina - assessed Beyond Parallel.

Satellite images show that the submersible test barge at the Sinpo shipyard was moved to a dry dock. However, no missile container was observed on the barge.

The barge may have been moved in preparation for the SLBM missile test, but it is also possible that it was moved for maintenance, repair or installation of equipment, Beyond Parallel experts emphasize.

 

North Korea recently announced that it would not be participating in the Tokyo Summer Olympics due to concerns over coronavirus infection. This dispelled hopes for the possibility of resuming dialogue with Pyongyang on the occasion of this event, reported the South Korean agency Yonhap.

Negotiations between the United States and North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program have remained at a standstill since the 2019 summit between former US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un. Tensions in the Korean Peninsula have also increased significantly since then.

At the ruling party's January congress, Kim Jong Un announced further nuclear armaments and the construction of "the most powerful military force". Pyongyang accuses Washington and Seoul of hostile intentions and maintains that nuclear and missile armaments protect it from invasion.

 

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