[Yonhap Photo]
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Aju News) -- Satellite imagery showed continued work on a submersible missile stand barge at North Korea's Sinpo base, home to a submarine-launched ballistic missile program, according to 38 North, the website of a U.S. research institute.
At Sinpo, North Korea has developed a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and an SLBM submarine. In November last year, 38 North reported that North Korea was on an "aggressive" schedule to build and deploy its first operational ballistic missile submarine while the submersible missile test stand barge appeared capable of putting to sea at any time.
Satellite imagery from January 6 indicates work on the second submersible missile stand barge is "ongoing", according to 38 North. "Since the last report, when the barge was moved to the nearby fitting-out dock, there is now a small floating crane moored alongside the barge and its boom is extended over it."
The purpose of the work is unclear, but it is probably related to final stages of repair before declaring the barge operational since both the test stand barge and a floating crane are located at the fitting-out dock, 38 North said. "It is unclear when the barge will become operational."
Along with ICBMs, the North's SLBM program has been a prime security concern in Seoul and Washington, though US experts believe Pyongyang is still years away from the operational deployment of a submarine carrying ballistic missile for wartime missions.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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