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US group: North Korea dismantling key launch site facilities

This Wednesday, May 23, 2018 satellite file image provided by DigitalGlobe, shows the Punggye-ri test site in North Korea. North Korea has carried out what it says is the demolition of its nuclear test site in the presence of foreign journalists. The demolition happened Thursday at the site deep in the mountains of the North's sparsely populated northeast. The planned closing was previously announced by leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his planned summit with U.S. President Donald Trump next month. (DigitalGlobe via AP, File)

SEOUL, South Korea — A U.S. research group said North Korea has started dismantling key facilities at its main satellite launch site in what appears to be a step toward fulfilling a commitment made by leader Kim Jong Un at his summit with President Donald Trump in June.

An official from South Korea’s presidential office on Tuesday said Seoul has also been detecting dismantlement activities at North Korea’s Sohae launch site but did not elaborate.

The 38 North website said recent satellite images indicate the North began dismantling a rocket engine test stand and other facilities at the site in what appeared to be a confidence-building measure with the United States.

Other analysts, however, said such steps wouldn’t diminish North Korea’s military capabilities or represent a genuine step toward denuclearization.   /kga

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