Currents News Staff
New satellite images show North Korea is expanding a key missile base. This despite President Trump’s claims that his negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are working.
It’s nestled deep in North Korea’s mountainous interior, right up against the border with China.
Seen clearly in satellite images obtained from the Middlebury Institute.
A new or expanded base, just seven miles from the well-known Yeongjeo-Dong missile base.
This new, previously unreported construction is evidence of the North’s continuous expansion and upgrading of long-range missile facilities that could be nuclear-ready.
Even as President Trump has long claimed that the denuclearizing of North Korea is on track.
“We’re very happy how it’s going with North Korea. We think it’s going fine. We’re in no rush. We’re in no hurry. The sanctions are on,” said President Trump on November 7th.
The imagery shows a new headquarters, tunneling and bunkers, as well as a massive underground facility.
All of it, rebukes to the President who was told by Kim Jong Un at the Singapore summit this past June he pledged to “work toward complete denuclearization” of the Korean peninsula.
Now, the President, who often touts his close relationship with the young dictator, is calling for a second summit in the new year.
“Kim Jong Un is successfully playing President Trump since they met earlier this year, Kim Jong Un has realized that President Trump is deeply invested in the appearance of success in diplomacy, with North Korea,” said Michael Fuchs.
The president’s National Security Adviser John Bolton argues that a second summit is needed to set Kim straight.
“They have not lived up to the commitments so far. That’s why the president thinks another summit is likely to be productive,” said Bolton.
Meanwhile, with talks at a standstill, U.S. sanctions on the North remain in place. Neither side willing to give ground before concessions from the other.
“I think the biggest concern here is that North Korea continues to do this dance, where they keep the United States involved – maybe have another meeting with President Trump – but not commit to any real constraint on military modernization. So, they continue to build, they continue to develop, they continue to test,” said Marcus Nolan.