US CSIS "North Korea Preparing for SLBM Test Launch at Sinpo Shipyard"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] It has been analyzed that North Korea is preparing for a test launch of a medium-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) at the Sinpo Shipyard in South Hamgyong Province.

Satellite image of Sinpo Shipyard released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 4th (local time), the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) introduced that one of the several vessels docked within the security zone at the Sinpo Shipyard satellite images resembles the tugboat used to pull out the existing underwater launch test barge. CSIS stated, "It is not conclusive," but analyzed that "it suggests preparation work for a test launch of the SLBM 'Pukguksong-3' from the underwater test barge."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

North Korea declared last October that it had successfully test-launched the new SLBM, Pukguksong-3.

CSIS mentioned, "This movement supports speculation that North Korea has made progress in ballistic missile and SLBM development over the past year and will demonstrate new capabilities on the regime's founding day on the 9th of this month or the Workers' Party anniversary on the 10th of next month."

Foreign media are paying attention to North Korea's movements ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November this year. If North Korea proceeds with missile test launches, doubts about the achievements of nuclear negotiations with North Korea, emphasized by U.S. President Donald Trump, could increase.

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