Rocketman’s return: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un looks like he’s getting ready to launch a missile - or is he just bluffing?
- Kim Jong-un would have plenty to lose if he fires what would be his first rocket in 15 months
- Such a move would undercut Chinese pressure for sanctions relief of its ally
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is showing signs he might fire his first rocket in 15 months.
But long-time observers suspect he is bluffing.
Two days after Kim’s summit with US President Donald Trump broke down over sanctions relief and disarmament steps last month, satellite images showed that North Korea was rebuilding a long-range rocket site it recently dismantled.
The activity suggests that the country could be preparing to launch a missile or satellite that would push back against Trump while providing valuable data to improve his weapons capability.
“It is a big gamble,” said Jenny Town, managing editor for the North Korea-focused 38 North website. “If North Korea does launch a satellite, it could derail all of North Korea’s diplomatic goodwill built up over the past year.”