North Korea 'Dismantling Key Missile Launch Site Facilities'

A missile launch in North Korea in November 2017 (Picture: PA).

North Korea has started dismantling key facilities at its main satellite launch site, a US research group has said.

The activity appears to be a step toward fulfilling a commitment made by leader Kim Jong Un at his summit with US president Donald Trump in June.

An official from South Korea's presidential office said on Tuesday that Seoul had also been detecting dismantlement activities at the North's Sohae launch site, but did not specify.

While the official said such moves could have a "positive effect" on the North's denuclearisation, analysts have said it would not reduce North Korea's military capabilities unless the country dismantles the whole site.

The North Korea-focused 38 North website said recent satellite images indicate the North began dismantling key facilities at the site, including a rocket engine test stand and a rail-mounted processing building where space launch vehicles were assembled before being moved to the launch pad.

Analyst Joseph Bermudez wrote in the report:

"Since these facilities are believed to have played an important role in the development of technologies for the North's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) programme, these efforts represent a significant confidence building measure on the part of North Korea."

Lee Choon Geun, a missile expert at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, said the North is giving up little in dismantling the rocket engine test site when it seems clear the country is satisfied with the current design of long-range weapons.

However, Mr Lee said that the supposed move to dismantle the rail-mounted processing building was more notable as it potentially indicated to broader dismantlement activities at the site.

Mr Lee said: "If North Korea goes further and dismantle the entire Sohae site, that would meaningfully reduce the country's long-range missile capability by eliminating a facility where it could fire multiple ICBMs in succession.

"The North can also fire ICBMs from transporter erector launchers, but their technology with these vehicles isn't stable."

The South Korean presidential official, who did not want to be named, said the supposed dismantlement activities shows the North is moving gradually.

He said: "We need further analysis to figure out why the North didn't turn the dismantlement activities into an event and whether the country is trying to control the speed of the process to maintain a pace it wants."