North Korea continuing work on long-range missiles, images show
US academics say satellite images show regime efforts to develop longer-range rockets continue
Satellite imagery indicates North Korea has been testing rocket engines, a sign it continues to develop long-range missiles, a US academic institute says.
The analysis provided on Monday is based on satellite images taken as recently as late September of the Sohae site on the northwest coast. In April, North Korea launched a rocket from there in a failed attempt to propel a satellite into space in defiance of a UN ban.
The analysis on the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies said it remains unclear whether North Korea was preparing another rocket launch but predicted it may embark on new rocket and nuclear tests in the first half of 2013.
The analysis underscores the challenges posed by North Korea's weapons programmes to the United States and its allies as President Barack Obama heads into his second term.
Washington's most recent attempt to negotiate a freeze in North Korea's nuclear programme and a test moratorium in exchange for food aid collapsed with the April launch, which the US regarded as a cover for testing ballistic missile technology.
The US-Korea Institute analysis concludes that since the failed launch of the Unha-3 rocket, which disintegrated shortly after take-off, North Korea has conducted at least two, and possibly more, tests of large rocket motors.