Satellite pics ‘show North Korea has built a massive statue at Kim Jong-un’s nuke testing site’
New images appear to show a plinth-like structure surrounded by steps at the dismantled Iha-ri complex, in the northwest of the country
KIM Jong-un has reportedly built a monument at one of his regime's notorious former missile launch sites, new satellite images appear to show.
The North Korean dictator appears to have ordered construction of the commemorative structure where his military first test-launched its deadly Pukguksong-2 missile in 2017.
The Iha-ri complex, in the northwest of the country, had been used to test-fire the mid-range ballistic weapon - which could travel up to 1,200 miles.
Kim reportedly ordered the site be dismantled last year, according to an analysis published by 38 North - a prominent North Korea monitoring group.
Satellite pictures taken on 19 May 2018 showed many of the structures - including impact pads and a support structure that holds up a missile - had been razed.
But now, fresh images appear to show the construction of a monument at the edge of the site.
Although it is unclear what the structure is, it appears to fit the pattern of other North Korean statues - with a square central plinth seemingly surrounded by steps.
MEMORIAL 'TO TEST LAUNCH'
The images were detected by , a "geospatial intelligence expert" who specialises in North Korean missile sites.
He posted the pics on Twitter with the caption: "It looks like DPRK put up a small monument at location pukguksong-2 was first tested and showcased."
The site was believed to have been used for the development of the Pukguksong-2 - one of North Korea's solid-fuelled medium-range ballistic missiles.
Solid fuelled missiles are easier to transport because liquid fuel is more volatile.
SITE DISMANTLED
Experts say North Korea is aware of how intensely its activities are scrutinised via satellite imagery and has been known to factor that into their decision making.
North Korea's missile program made strides in 2017, with Pyongyang saying it successfully test-fired three intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Experts say the Hwasong-15, which was launched in late November, can likely hit much of the United States.
The Iha-ri dismantlement came after Kim agreed to stop testing missiles - while engaging in dialogue with South Korea in March last year.
MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS
The following month he said his country would no longer test nuclear weapons because it had already successfully developed them.
Journalists, including a team from CNN, were invited to watch the North Koreans blow up the tunnels and some of the buildings at the Punggye-ri test site in May 2018 - but no nuclear experts witnessed the event.
US President Donald Trump is set to meet face-to-face with Kim Jong-un in Vietnam later this month.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.