According to media reports last week, North Korea is making preparation to launch its new Kwangmyongsong-5 Earth-observation satellite in the near future, possibly from a mobile transporter-erector-launcher.

But, under examination of satellite imagery from November 23 - December 31, there are no signs of preparation of a satellite launch but there are several indicators which suggest preparation for an upcoming rocket engine test.

North Korean experts examined the satellite images, they said: “The rail-mounted environment shelter was moved from its position against the vertical engine test stand to the centre of the concrete apron.

“As noted in previous reports, the shelter has been moved to its current position on the concrete apron either to permit the receipt and preparation of rocket engines prior to testing or to unload them after a test.”

But, they go on to say the near-infrared imagery shows no indication that an engine test has taken place since November 23, suggesting the current activity is test related and is likely preparations for a future test.

The experts include international recognised analyst and lecturer on North Korean defence Joseph S. Bermudez Jr, Fellow in the Geophysics Group, Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, Frank Pabian and Jack Liu who spent much of his career as a contractor for Department of Defence.

The images are taken by the 38 North, a programme of the US-Korea Institute at SAIS dedicated to providing the best possible analysis of events in and around North Korea.

But, the experts believe there could be other explanations to the photographs, such as propaganda purposes.

They added: “Alternative explanations for these activities include normal maintenance and repair or propaganda activity to reinforce recent official North Korean statements concerning space exploration and Kim Jong Un’s 2018 New Year’s address.”

It comes as North Korea accidentally hit its own city with a missile yesterday.

The intermediate range ballistic missile crashed into the city with a population of 200,000 and exploded in a failed test launch, US government sources have revealed.

On April 28, 2017, a Hwasong-12 missile test fired from the Pukchang Airfield failed after launch and hit the city of Tokchon, it is claimed.

The first stage engine reportedly failed one minute into its flight after the rocket had traveled 24 miles sending it tumbling into an area of industrial buildings causing massive damage.

It is feared that the likelihood of a repeat of the accident is high with the repeated use of untested systems.

Satellite images show damaged buildings and an area where debris was cleared from an earlier images appear to show a whole building is missing.

Due to the ultra-secretive and paranoid nature of the North Korean regime, it is unknown how many if any casualties were caused by the impact.

North Korea is also due to engage in high-level talks with South Korea about cooperation during the Winter Olympics.

But, former Barack Obama aide Michael H. Fuchs said it is a trap.

He said: “I think President Trump is falling into the trap that Kim Jong-un is setting for him in trying to divide the two allies from one another.”