{"id":21639,"date":"2017-02-08T09:17:06","date_gmt":"2017-02-08T09:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=21639"},"modified":"2017-02-08T09:17:06","modified_gmt":"2017-02-08T09:17:06","slug":"new-images-show-how-north-korea-is-expanding-its-missile-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/world-news\/new-images-show-how-north-korea-is-expanding-its-missile-research.html","title":{"rendered":"New images show how North Korea is expanding its missile research"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tNew images show how North Korea is expanding its missile research<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
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\n\tNew images show how North Korea is expanding its missile research:-<\/strong> Even as the new U.S. defense secretary warned North Korea on Friday of an "effective and overwhelming" response if the rogue state uses nuclear weapons, images indicate that Pyongyang continues to rapidly build out its missile program — research, development and facilities for storing, launching and testing missiles.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t"There's a lot going on. It's not looking good," said David Schmerler, research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSchmerler is part of a team that analyzes pictures from Google Earth and private satellite imaging firm Planet Labs over time, using propaganda videos and other sources to tip them off on where and how to scrutinize most closely.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tIn his analysis of several North Korean missile development and launch areas, Schmerler has in recent weeks identified a new missile facility that he said is "significantly larger" than comparable facilities in the country.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFootage from a North Korean network showed dictator Kim Jong Un inspecting a large satellite launch vehicle at the building last February, Schmerler said. His research put the building at Sanum-dong in the northern part of the capital, Pyongyang.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tDetails on the structure have previously not been released.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSatellite launch vehicles — big rockets, essentially — are not weapons, but their development shows how quickly North Korea's ballistics technology has advanced. Tests of the projectiles can provide valuable data for further weapons development.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t"The reality is that if North Korea doesn't test those missiles, its program doesn't advance. One thing the U.S. has to think about is, how do you prevent them from testing?" said Bruce Bennett, senior defense analyst at research organization Rand Corp.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe findings come as North Korea held two nuclear tests in 2016 and has greatly advanced its technological capabilities.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe northeast Asian nation has conducted more than 20 missile tests, fired missiles from submarines, tested a rocket nose cone for its ability to withstand the heat of re-entry, and claimed its first hydrogen bomb test — all in the last year.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSchmerler's team had an informal set of criteria they believed the rouge state had to achieve before the researchers got worried. "Last year," Schmerler said, "North Korea kind of checked off that entire list."<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tWhen Schmerler looked at satellite images of Sanum-dong this year, he found a building with a unique skylight and 12-beam structure that matched the interior footage.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tPrior to 2009, Schmerler had seen only a small, non-military related structure in that location, but new construction began by 2012, satellite images reveal. He estimates the main hall is about 66-by-30 meters large, or more than 21,000 square feet. That's plenty of room to hold what he believes is a 30-meter Kwangmyongsong rocket.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tUsing satellite images from Planet Labs, Schmerler has seen increased activity at other North Korea missile-related locations, including paving work near the Sohae Satellite Launching station.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tMore weapons tests to come?<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tKim said in a New Year's Day speech that his country is close to a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Such a test could come in the next few months. <\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNorth Korea celebrates the birthdays of Kim's father and grandfather in February and April, and state commemoration of the former dictators could prompt Kim to test weapons in a show of strength. The U.S. and South Korea will hold military exercises in the coming weeks. South Korea is also expected to hold a presidential election this year.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t"I think you're right to suspect things are a lot more combustible in Asia now," said Isaac Stone Fish, senior fellow at Asia Society's Center on U.S.-China Relations. He likened the tensions to those around the Vietnam War, Tiananmen Square and the collapse of the Soviet Union.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tHowever, weapons tests have calmed in the last several weeks. Experts say Kim is waiting to see how South Korea's elections unfold. President Donald Trump also remains an uncertainty.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tAn increasing priority for the US<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tTrump has called the North Korean dictator a "bad dude" and a "maniac," but also once suggested that the two could meet over hamburgers to discuss improving the countries' relationship.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNorth Korea appears to be a top U.S. foreign policy concern, given that James Mattis made his first overseas trip as the new U.S. secretary of defense to South Korea. During his two-day trip, Mattis reiterated the U.S. commitment to deploying an anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea this year.<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t"Secretary Mattis was very effective in reassuring this important U.S. ally, and also strengthening deterrence against North Korea, without being unnecessarily provocative," Bennett said. "This is a very positive outcome from his visit to South Korea."<\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSource:- http:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2017\/02\/07\/newly-discovered-north-korea.html<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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