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.
