N.K. nuclear test possible at any time, but long-range rocket launch unlikely in near future: 38 North

North Korea could carry out another nuclear test with little notice at any time, but is unlikely to conduct a long-range rocket launch in the near future, a U.S. website monitoring the communist nation said Friday.

“While there has been speculation of a North Korean satellite launch or nuclear test occurring during the run-up to the US Presidential election, the evidence from commercial satellite imagery of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station and the Punggye-ri nuclear test site suggests it‘s possible but unlikely,” 38 North said.

Recent satellite imagery shows continued activity at the North Portal of the nuclear test site, where September’s fifth test took place, 38 North said, adding that the activity could be to collect post-test data or to prepare for another test.

“While there does not appear to be activity at other areas around the test complex, the presence of tunnels at the West and South Portals also means that North Korea could possibly conduct another test at these sites with little notice,” it said.

Conducting a satellite launch seems less likely in the near future as satellite imagery indicates little activity at the launch site during the month of October since the large liquid-fuel engine test in September, 38 North said.

“While it is impossible to observe whether a space launch vehicle is hidden within the gantry tower‘s environmental cover, imagery suggests that the launch pad is clear,” it said.

“The movable environmental shed at the vertical engine test stand has remained in place since September indicating that the North could either be preparing for another engine test or simply cleaning up after the previous test,” it said. (Yonhap)