Analysts: North Korea had been preparing rocket engine test

Jan. 5 (UPI) -- North Korea is more likely to have been preparing the test of a rocket engine at its Sohae satellite launching facility than a new Earth-observation satellite, according to U.S. analysts.

Writing on 38 North, analysts Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Frank Pabian and Jack Li stated Thursday satellite images from Nov. 23, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31 show preparation for an engine test at the facility's test stand.

It is unclear when North Korea will test the rocket, which could be widely interpreted as another provocation.

Any test related to projectiles and other weapons could also hamper inter-Korea efforts for dialogue, which is set to take place on Tuesday, according to Seoul.

The analysts noted the images from 2017, before Seoul responded positively to Kim Jong Un's offer of talks, showed visible changes at the Sohae facility.

"Between Nov. 23 and Dec. 25, the rail-mounted environment shelter was moved from its position flush against the vertical engine test stand to the center of the concrete apron," the analysts write. "Tire tracks are visible on the concrete apron and in front of the vehicle garage on both dates."

Other equipment have been moved in a position that signals "preparation of rocket engines prior to testing or unload them after a test."

By contrast, "no activity of significance" could be seen on the launch pad from where a satellite could be sent to orbit.

North Korea rarely announces launches ahead of schedule, and it never reports on failed missile tests.

U.S. data, however, indicate North Korea's launch of a midrange ballistic missile, the Hwasong-12, not only failed in April 2017, but also landed in the North Korean city of Tokchon, damaging area buildings and agricultural facilities, according to The Diplomat.

The missile never flew more than about 40 miles, according to the report.