U.S. spy agencies: NoKo working on new missiles

Sanumdong missile assembly facility
south of Pyongyang: satellite imagery
by Planet Labs, Inc.

It was too good to be true--our spy agencies are seeing signs that North Korea is building new missiles at a factory that produced their first intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of reaching the U.S., according to intelligence officials.

Satellite photos taken in recent weeks indicates work is underway on at least one to two liquid-fueled ICBMs at Sanumdong, south of the capital, according to officials speaking on the condition of anonymity.

While the new intel doesn't suggest the North Koreans are expanding their capabilities, it does show that they are continuing work on advanced weapons even after President Trump and Kim Jong-un met with Trump declaring that North Korea is "no longer a Nuclear Threat."

Perhaps he was kidding. He likes to say stuff in a hyperbolic way.

This current report about new missile construction comes after recent revelations about a possible uranium-enrichment facility, known a Kangson, that the North is operating in secret.

In his Senate testimony, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged that North Korean factories "continue to produce fissile material" to make nuclear weapons, but declined to say whether Pyongyang is building new missiles.

Although Kim met with Trump in a June summit and agreed to a wishy-washy pledge to "work toward" the "denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula, the fat dictator hasn't made any moves to disarming.

In fact, senior NoKo officials have spoken about their intention of deceiving the U.S. about the number of nuclear warheads and missiles they have, as well as the types and numbers of facilities. They also said they would rebuff international inspectors. Their strategy includes potentially claiming that they've fully denuclearized by declaring and disposing of 20 warheads while hanging on to dozens more.

The Sanumdong factory produced two ICBMs, including the Hwasong-15, with a proven range that could allow it to strike the East Coast of the U.S.

"We see them going to work, just as before," on U.S. official said.

Some dismantling is taking place but much of this is seen by the U.S. as symbolic.

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