North Korea has not stopped updating its nuclear weapons arsenal despite talks with the U.S. about denuclearization. Based on new satellite images taken by various U.S. spy agencies, the reclusive state has been continuing works on possibly two liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic millies in its nuclear facility in Sanumdong.
The said facility was the same location where North Korea built its first ICBMs, the Hwasong-15 missile, with the range capable of reaching the U.S. East Coast. Now, the Washington Post has exclusively seen evidence from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency that showed North Korea is building another Hwasong-15 unit.
The new evidence came a month after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had a discussion with President Donald Trump and agreed to work towards complete denuclearization in his country. The U.S. has long been demanding North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons. In return, America promised financial compensation and complete lifting of imposed U.N. sanctions.
Early in July, however, North Korea also mended its ties with China, strengthening its economic cooperation with the country. Around this time, suspicions were rife that the North Korean leader was stalling the U.S. until such time that he acquires financial aid from other countries. This way, his country can thrive even without complete lifting of sanctions and North Korea's stockpile of nuclear weapons.
Indeed, stronger economic ties with China could serve leverage for North Korea, according to Cheng Xiaohe, an associate professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing.
"But conversely, if North Korea wants to focus on the economy it will be better off giving up its nuclear programme fast, because China is not likely to violate the UN sanctions regime," Cheng told the South China Morning Post.
Other analysts believed North Korea is sincere with its vow to denuclearize and its move to strengthen ties with China is a step to support its economy because denuclearization is an extremely long process.
With the fresh satellite images taken in recent weeks, however, it seemed North Korea is confirming earlier suspicions about its real motive.
The Washington Post had already reported prior that North Korea may have just planned to hide its nuclear weapons arsenal to lure the US about lifting sanctions. Unnamed sources revealed that North Korea has been planning to go the extent of declaring full denuclearization by disposing of 20 nuclear warheads.
While Kim Jong Un had his discussion with Trump and negotiated economic support from China, activities in its Sanumdong facility have been ongoing. Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said there had been trucks and vehicles coming and going from the Sanumdong factory.
"It's active. We see shipping containers and vehicles coming and going. This is a facility where they build ICBMs and space-launch vehicles," Lewis said.
