New images published Monday by the prominent monitoring group 38 North indicate North Korea has begun dismantling key facilities at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station — a move analysts say represents « an important first step towards fulfilling a commitment » made by Kim Jong Un during his summit with President Donald Trump
« Most notably, these include the rail-mounted processing building — where space launch vehicles are assembled before moving them to the launchpad — and the nearby rocket engine test stand used to develop liquid-fuel engines for ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles. »
Both Trump and his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, have been urging patience since the President held a historic summit with Kim in Singapore last month but the President has privately expressed frustration over the perceived lack of progress in talks, a US official told CNN.
Trump pushed back against that suggestion Monday, tweeting that he is « very happy » with the progress with North Korea, noting a lack of rocket launches and nuclear tests in recent months.
Adam Mount, a senior fellow and director at the Federation of American Scientists, agreed that these steps « are encouraging and helpful for extending talks » but noted they « are not themselves a major material step toward disarmament or militarily significant restrictions. »
« This is consistent with North Korea’s public line, which is that its successful test program is now transitioning to mass production of nuclear and missile systems, » he said.
