Satellite Images Show N. Korea Razed Missile Test Stand

June 7, 2018

Washington- New satellite images show that North Korea has almost razed the missile test stand near Kusong in the country's northwestern region, the 38 North website said Wednesday.

The work to demolish the facility, which was well maintained and ready for additional tests until April, began during the second week of May and had been almost completed by May 19, according to the website providing analysis of North Korea.

"It is unclear whether the destruction of the stand is an indication that the North is suspending this portion of its missile program or that Pyongyang plans to erect other similar facilities in the future," the website said.

In April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that his country no longer needs to conduct nuclear tests or test-firing of medium- and long-range missiles as well as intercontinental ballistic missiles. On May 24, North Korea destroyed its nuclear test site in Punggye-ri in the presence of foreign journalists.

The demolished missile test stand was a facility for land-based, canister-launched ballistic missile ejection tests and represented a critical component in the development of the Pukguksong-2 medium-range ballistic missile, according to 38 North.

The facility could have potentially also been used for testing larger canister-based ballistic missiles such as ICBMs using mobile launchers, the website said. Jiji Press