North Korea 'halts' long-range rocket launch pad construction work

North Korea has stopped construction work at a site meant to launch bigger and better long-range rockets.

The eight-month construction standstill may signal Pyongyang is slowing down or even stopping development of larger rockets, according to new analysis of recent satellite images.

The reports of incomplete construction at the large new rocket assembly building could be good news for Washington, Tokyo and others who see Pyongyang's nuclear and missile work as a threat.

It is however not known if the work stoppage is only temporary.

According to the Japan Times, the analysis of May 26 commercial satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe and Astrium provides some possible scenarios about what is happening.

One theory is that equipment and construction troops sent from the site to help repair widespread rain damage last year may still be at other posts.

Another theory is that North Korea's leadership has decided that its more modern Sohae rocket-launching site on the northwest coast, the one used to launch rockets in April and December 2012, will be sufficient to support large rocket development, the report said.

But the most interesting theory from the analysis is that the work stoppage could reflect a decision in Pyongyang to slow or stop building larger rockets, it added.