Analysis suggests that activities suggesting preparations for a test launch of a medium-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) were detected at the Sinpo shipyard in North Hamgyeongnam-do.
According to Reuters, the US Think Tank Institute for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported on the Sinpo Shipyard satellite image posted on its website on the 4th (local time), where one of several ships anchored in the security area would pull out an existing underwater launch test barge. It was revealed that it was similar to the tugboat used at the time.
CSIS said, "This move suggests preparations for the test launch of the SLBM'Arctic-3' from an underwater test barge, but it is not critical."
Earlier, in October last year, North Korea declared that it had successfully launched a new SLBM, Polar Star-3, as part of an effort to deter external threats and strengthen the right to self-defense.
Experts interpreted the missile test as the most provocative move since North Korea talked with the United States over its nuclear weapons and missile programs in 2018.
North Korea has suspended long-range missile and nuclear tests since 2017, but US President Donald Trump's efforts to get North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and missile programs have not paid off.
Reuters reported that if North Korea repeatedly attempts to test missiles while President Trump is aiming for re-election in the US presidential election in November this year, it will be emphasized that there has not been much progress in nuclear negotiations despite the unprecedented meeting between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un. I thought it would.
Earlier, our military authorities said that the maximum flight altitude of the North Pokseong-3 missile that North Korea tested last year was about 910 km and a distance of about 450 km.