[Asia Economy Reporter Eunju Lee] Reports have emerged that North Korea is preparing to launch a more powerful missile.
The U.S.-based North Korea specialist media 38 North reported on the 23rd (local time) that "based on satellite images taken recently of the West Sea Satellite Launch Station in Dongchang-ri, Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, North Korea appears to be preparing to launch a more powerful missile." The West Sea Satellite Launch Station is a facility where North Korea develops rockets that can be repurposed for long-range missiles.
On the 19th, 38 North analyzed several images taken by the Earth observation satellite Pleiades Neo of the West Sea Satellite Launch Station, stating that "comprehensive observations of construction and improvement work can be made," and that "it shows modifications are underway to accommodate launch vehicles that can be combined with larger and heavier satellites." The media analyzed that a new structure built east of the existing vertical engine test stand is a horizontal engine test stand for testing solid-fuel rocket motors, which is currently operational.
38 North particularly noted the removal of the side panels of the existing vertical engine test stand. The media interpreted this as renovation work to enable testing of more powerful liquid-fuel rocket engines. Typically, vertical test stands are classified for liquid-fuel engines. Additionally, the recent images captured the upper tower crane of the launch vehicle support being dismantled and placed nearby.
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