N. Korea halts construction on rocket launch pad
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A structure which an analyst says is an unfinished rocket launch site, top right, and other major new facilities at the Tonghae launch complex are seen near the village of Musudan-ri on the northeast coast of North Korea. This satellite image was taken on Aug 29, 2012, by DigitalGlobe and provided on Monday, Sept 24, 2012, by 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. -- PHOTO: AP
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Structures which an analyst says a newly commenced construction site of what is probably a new rocket launch control center for the entire Tonghae launch complex and a large, still unfinished rocket assembly building are seen near the village of Musudan-ri on the northeast coast of North Korea. In this satellite image taken on Aug 29, 2012, by DigitalGlobe and provided on Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, by 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. -- PHOTO: AP
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Structures which an analyst says gantry footings, a flame trench and propellant buildings of a new launch pad are seen at the Tonghae launch complex near the village of Musudan-ri on the northeast coast of North Korea. This satellite image was taken on Aug 29, 2012, by DigitalGlobe and provided on Monday, Sept 24, 2012, by 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. -- PHOTO: AP
A structure which an analyst says is an unfinished rocket launch site, top right, and other major new facilities at the Tonghae launch complex are seen near the village of Musudan-ri on the northeast coast of North Korea. This satellite image was taken on Aug 29, 2012, by DigitalGlobe and provided on Monday, Sept 24, 2012, by 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. -- PHOTO: AP
Structures which an analyst says a newly commenced construction site of what is probably a new rocket launch control center for the entire Tonghae launch complex and a large, still unfinished rocket assembly building are seen near the village of Musudan-ri on the northeast coast of North Korea. In this satellite image taken on Aug 29, 2012, by DigitalGlobe and provided on Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, by 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. -- PHOTO: AP
Structures which an analyst says gantry footings, a flame trench and propellant buildings of a new launch pad are seen at the Tonghae launch complex near the village of Musudan-ri on the northeast coast of North Korea. This satellite image was taken on Aug 29, 2012, by DigitalGlobe and provided on Monday, Sept 24, 2012, by 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. -- PHOTO: AP
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea has stopped construction on a launch pad where intercontinental-range rockets could be tested, an interruption possibly due to heavy rains and that could stall completion up to two years, according to an analysis of new satellite imagery.
Despite the setback, however, Pyongyang is also refurbishing for possible future use another existing pad at the same complex that has been used for past rocket launches, according to the analysis of Aug 29 images provided to The Associated Press by 38 North, the website of the United States-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
While the renovations don't mean a launch is imminent, they indicate North Korea is preparing the site for possible future rocket tests, according to the 38 North special report written by Mr Nick Hansen.
North Korea conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, but experts don't believe Pyongyang has yet mastered the technology needed to shrink a nuclear weapon so it can be mounted onto the tip of a long-range missile.
