North Korea expanding Tongchang-ri missile launch site: 38 North
North Korea is gearing up to upgrade its missile capabilities according to the latest analysis of satellite images of its main satellite launch site. Johns Hopkins University's U.S.-Korea Institute reported on movements that indicate an expansion of the Sohae site in Tongchang-ri. The institute said on its 38 North blog... the modifications should provide North Korea with more advanced missile capabilities, possibly giving it the ability to eventually strike U.S. soil. It said that the evidence indicates Pyongyang may be preparing for a more robust rocket test program in the future. The institute also said the North may have tested a rocket engine needed for its road-mobile KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile. Back in 2011, Robert Gates, the former U.S. Secretary of Defense did mention that North Korea could develop intercontinental missiles capable of hitting the U.S. Pacific coast within five years.
