Activity at N Korea rocket site fuels test concerns

Satellite images taken on October 1 show increased activity at the Sohae satellite launch station in North Korea

An analysis published on October 9 showing recent satellite images of activity at various nuclear site at North Korea fuelled concerns that the country may be on the brink of another nuclear test or long-range rocket launch.

Speculation that Pyongyang is preparing such a show of force has been linked to the anniversary of the founding of country's ruling Workers' Party that is due on October 10.

Past nuclear tests and missile launches have often coincided with key political dates. Its fifth nuclear test last month was conducted on the anniversary of North Korea's founding as a state,

The latest satellite imagery analysis posted by the US- Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University noted increased activity at the North's Sohae satellite launch station.

The pictures taken on October 1 showed crates on the launch pad next to the gantry tower, vehicles near the fuel and oxidising buildings, and work continuing on the facility's vertical engine test stand.

"However, since both the gantry tower and the assembly structures on the launch pad are covered, it is unclear whether this activity is related to launch preparations or other operations," the analysts noted.

Two days ago, the institute had posted similarly dated images of the North's nuclear test site that showed activity at all three of its tunnel complexes, but analysts could not be certain if the activity was related to an imminent test or other work.

North Korea carried out its first nuclear test on October 9, 2006, It was an underground detonation with such a low yield that it was widely seen as a failure.

The country's weapons programme has progressed in leaps and bounds under its current leader Kim Jong-Un, despite multiple rounds of strict international sanctions.

Kim has overseen three nuclear tests since assuming office in 2011 with two of them being carried out this year alone.

Each has shown a significant level of progression, with September's fifth test the largest to date, and Pyongyang also claims it has mastered the miniaturisation technique to fit a nuclear warhead on the tip of a missile.

The final goal of the North's programme is a credible nuclear strike capability against the US mainland.

While most experts don't believe it is there yet, they generally agree that the level of bomb and missile testing - especially over the past year - has brought it much closer.

The North carried out its last successful satellite rocket launch in February - a month after its fourth nuclear test.

Pyongyang insists such launches are purely scientific, but the international community has condemned them as disguised ballistic missile tests.