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Satellite photo of the Sohae rocket test site in western North Korea, taken 03 March 2019. REUTERS

North Korea announced on Sunday (December 8th) a " very important test " from its Sohae rocket launch pad. This is probably a rocket engine ground test, analysts said. An essay that aims to increase the pressure on Washington.

With our correspondent in Seoul, Frédéric Ojardias

According to the official North Korean agency, the test was held this Saturday, December 7 in the afternoon and will have the effect of " change [the] strategic status " of the country. If the regime does not say more, it has been several days since analysts, based on satellite photos, believed that a rocket engine test on the ground, was in preparation.

The North Koreans call Sohae Satellite Launching Station (Sohae means "West Coast"). The US and South Korea called Tongch'ang-ri after the next populated place, Yunsŏng (윤성). pic.twitter.com/w26AnGE7un

Jeffrey Lewis (@ArmsControlWonk) December 6, 2019

This engine test is the probable prelude to a future machine launch capable of putting a satellite into orbit. These launches are condemned by the UN Security Council , which sees disguised tests of intercontinental missiles.

Reconstruction work was observed

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had promised last year to dismantle his famous shot of Sohae. But in March of this year, as nuclear negotiations with the United States became bogged down, reconstruction work was observed on the site.

The trial announced this Sunday morning can be seen as a provocation to increase pressure on the United States . Pyongyang demands a deal on nuclear power and easing sanctions by the end of the year. But Washington shows no intention of yielding to this ultimatum.

►Also read: North Korea: Kim Jong-un inaugurates the new city of Samjiyon