Monitoring Group on North Korea: Pyongyang is Dismantling a Missile Site

A monitoring group in Washington stated on Monday, July 23, that satellite images show North Korea has begun dismantling one of its key facilities for developing ballistic missile engines. The website '38 North' referred to this action as the first step by North Korea towards fulfilling Kim Jong Un's promise to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting in Singapore. The organization reported that satellite images from July 20 indicate that North Korea is in the process of demolishing the 'Sohae' missile test center, which was used for testing ballistic missile engines and their liquid fuel. '38 North' added that since this site was used for developing North Korea's intercontinental missiles, its dismantling could be a significant sign of trust-building from Pyongyang. Donald Trump stated after his meeting with Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore that the North Korean leader promised him that a major ballistic missile engine test site would soon be dismantled. Although Trump did not name the site, U.S. officials later told Reuters that he was referring to the 'Sohae' site. Reuters noted that the report from '38 North' comes amid recent doubts regarding North Korea's intentions and willingness to denuclearize. Trump mentioned last week that there is no specific deadline for denuclearization based on his discussions with the North Korean leader. However, Jenny Town, director of '38 North,' stated that the dismantling of 'Sohae' could be an important step in keeping U.S.-North Korea negotiations alive. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the North Korean leader to fulfill his promise of denuclearization. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, emphasized that the best way to support negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea is through the full implementation of sanctions against Pyongyang, calling on Russia and China to fully enforce these sanctions.