Satellite image suggests North Korea is about to missiles from submarine.

NEW satellite images of North Korean military bases appear to show the volatile state is overhauling its missile sub fleet as tension rises during the nuclear stand-off between Kim Jong-un and the US.

The pictures show activity at a test site which is scarily similar to preparations before the Stalinist nation’s last test of their Pukguksong-1 submarine-launched ballistic missile in August 2016.
The images emerged after Mr Trump warned North Korea that the US military was “locked and loaded” as Pyongyang accused the US leader of driving the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war.
The Pentagon said the United States and South Korea would proceed as planned with a joint military exercise in 10 days, an action sure to further antagonise North Korea.
North Korean watcher Joseph Bermudez of 38North, which monitors military activity in the hermit state, has spotted changes on the boat and the facility it is docked in.

Satellite images of the SINPO South Shipyard in North Korea reportedly show changes on the ship pictured. Picture: DigitalGlobe/38 North via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

He said: “Recent commercial satellite imagery reveals several developments suggesting that North Korea may be accelerating the development of the sea-based leg of its nuclear forces.
“Since the July report, netting or tarps have been suspended above both the fore and aft decks of the submarine obscuring any activity taking place beneath them.
“The only other time this was seen was during May-July 2016 and prior to the failed July 9, 2016 Pukguksong-1 test.”

The images purportedly show changes to the number and type of parts in the shipyard and storage area. Picture: DigitalGlobe/38 North via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

SANGO-class submarines berthed at the northeast pier of the Mayang-do Submarine Base. Picture: DigitalGlobe/38 North via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

This picture, taken in 2016, suggests the North Koreans may have upgraded their sub fleet. Picture: DigitalGlobe/38 North via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Long-range ballistic missiles (ISBMs), and their submarine-housed counterparts (SLBMs), are rockets which can carry nuclear bombs and would be capable of striking the west coast of the US including cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle.

However, North Korea is not believed to have developed the technical capacity to mount a nuclear warhead on an SLBM.
Officials told CNN that North Korea is developing its submarine based missile capability.
Researchers believe the threat posed by Kim Jong-un has been underestimated – with the latest missile test soaring seven times higher than the International Space Station.
North Korea announced the completion of its first ever successful intercontinental ballistic missile launch last month.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un aboard a submarine during his visit to the North's Naval Unit 167 stationed on the east coast in 2014. Parts of the vessel's observation tower appear to be rusted. Picture: AAP Image/Yonhap News AgencySource:AP

The ICBM was the first of its kind to be launched by the secret state and the test sent shockwaves across the world after the trigger-happy tyrant vowed to turn the US into a “pile of ash”.
A successful ICBM test launch marks a significant step forward for secretive Pyongyang’s weapons capability.
ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5500kms, but some are designed to travel 10,000kms or further.
California is roughly 9000kms from North Korea.


The tests have fuelled global concerns and sparked a war of words between Pyongyang and Washington.
Mr Trump last week vowed to rain down “fire and fury” and tweeted about the strength of America’s nuclear arena after Pyongyang threatened to bomb US territory Guam.
The aggressive war of words prompted a top South Korean official to warn the US it was only making things worse and increasing tensions across the Peninsula.
Moon Chung-in, a top aide for President Moon Jae-in criticised the US leader for his bellicose language.
“This is very unusual. We do not expect that the president of the United States would make that kind of statement,” he told ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz.
“It is very worrisome for the president of the United States to fuel the crisis.”
Ambassador Moon said his President wanted to ease up on the language and this message was conveyed to Mr Trump.
However Mr Trump’s “fire and fury” comment unleashed a war of words and sent tensions skyrocketing across the Peninsula.
Ambassador Moon also called for both sides to ease up on the rhetoric.
“It is a chicken game, but I think what is needed right now is mutual restraint,” he said.
— with Debra Killalea




Story courtesy of the Sun/News.com.au