The site was believed to have been used for the development of the Pukguksong-2, one of North Korea’s solid-fueled medium-range ballistic missiles. Solid fueled missiles are easier to transport because liquid fuel is more volatile.
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., who authored the report, told CNN that it is too early to say whether the site’s dismantlement is part of a bigger commitment to scaling back its missile testing program. Experts say North Korea is aware of how intensely its activities are scrutinized via satellite imagery, and has been known to factor that into their decision making.
“If I see similar activity or lack of activity elsewhere, than I can say it is significant. If I don’t, I would say that it is less significant,” said Bermudez.
“They know we’re watching,” he said. “They deliberately practice what we call CCD — camouflage, conceal and deception. We have to view this in that context.”
North Korea’s missile program made strides in 2017, with Pyongyang saying it successfully test-fired three intercontinental ballistic missiles. Experts say the Hwasong-15, which was launched in late November, can likely hit much of the United States.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump are expected to discuss Pyongyang’s weapons programs when the two meet Tuesday in Singapore. It will be the first meeting between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader.
While the Punggye-ri facility is made up of tunnels deep underground and was believed to be heavily fortified, Iha-ri was composed of facilities that were relatively to take apart.
The site has been inactive for some time, which means the North Koreans could be finished with it, according to Dave Schmerler, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
“Maybe this is a very shallow offering to the satellites, to the people watching to say, hey, we’re playing nice,” he said. “Maybe they’re just done with testing,”
Source : Nbcnewyork