국방부 "동창리 미사일 발사장, 기능복구 미확인... 외형복구 거의 완료"<br /><br />Recent satellite imagery showed increased activities at North Korea's key missile sites... and Washington says it's taking such moves very seriously.<br />But Seoul's military confirmed today that the site is not likely to be fully functional... and a rocket launch, as well, is unlikely.<br />Oh Jung-hee explains further. <br />North Korea is reportedly restoring key components at its Dongchang-ri missile engine test site, which was dismantled last year July,... and increased activity has been detected at Saneum-dong, where Pyeongyang previously assembled its ICBMs.<br />These reports are raising concerns on whether the North is preparing for a possible missile launch in the near future... following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit.<br />But Seoul's military confirmed -- for the first time -- that these sites are not likely to be fully restored... and there's a low possibility of a rocket launch.<br />On Wednesday, Seoul's defense ministry briefed the National Assembly's defense committee.<br />The military explained that the North has almost finished restoring the Dongchang-ri missile engine test site physically... but added it's not clear whether the site is fully functional. <br />Defense authorities also ruled out the possibility of a missile launch anytime soon, saying even if the site is operating normally, the regime would need more time to prepare for an actual missile launch. <br />According to the military, Pyeongyang started restoring the missile site before the Hanoi summit... to prepare for inspections by international experts, once the summit succeeded.<br />Seoul's unification ministry shares the same idea.<br />On the day before, the vice minister said there's not much significant movement at the site... and that recent reports shouldn't lead to an "unnecessary" escalation of tension.<br />"We are seeing that North Korea is continuously stating its will to maintain dialogue, not cause instability."<br />Why North Korea is rebuilding its key missile site right now is yet to be seen.<br />But some watchers say the recent moves are part of Kim Jong-un's efforts to keep Trump's attention.<br />They add... because Kim wants the sanctions to be lifted above any other condition,... he would want to continue negotiations with Trump... and won't go ahead with a missile test which will only lead to tougher sanctions.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
