N.KOREA CONDUCTS ‘CRUCIAL TEST’ AT SOHAE LAUNCH SITE
North Korea has conducted another “crucial test” at its Sohae satellite launch site, state media reported Saturday, as nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington remain stalled with a deadline approaching. The announcement comes a day before US Special Envoy on North Korea Stephen Biegun is set to arrive in Seoul for a threeday visit, and after the United States tested a medium-range ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.
“Another crucial test was successfully conducted at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground from 22:41 to 22:48 on December 13,” a spokesman for the North’s National Academy of Defence Science said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.
The “research successes” will be “applied to further bolstering up the reliable strategic nuclear deterrent” of North Korea, the spokesman added.
Another crucial test was successfully conducted at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground from 22:41 to 22:48 on December 13
The statement did not provide further details on the test.
Late on Saturday the Chief of the General Staff Pak Jon Chon said North Korea was using recent tests to develop new technologies and strategic weapons.
“The priceless data, experience and new technologies gained in the recent tests of defense science research will be fully applied to the development of another strategic weapon,” he said in a statement, also carried by KCNA. Sohae, on North Korea’s northwest coast, is ostensibly a facility designed for putting satellites into orbit. But Pyongyang has carried out several rocket launches there that were condemned by the US and others as disguised long-range ballistic missile tests.
SEOUL AFP, 14 DEC, 2019