N.Korea 'Ready to Test New Submarine-Launched Missile'

North Korea seems ready to test a new submarine-launched ballistic missile at its Sinpo shipyard, according to the website 38 North at Johns Hopkins University.

"Recent commercial satellite imagery of North Korea's Sinpo [shipyard] indicates continuing submarine construction of possibly another... ballistic missile submarine," the website reported Wednesday.

Changes were "made to the secure boat basin, including the installation of 12 probable davit arm cranes spaced at regular intervals along much of the quay sometime between April 11 and May 5," it said.

"These cranes would facilitate loading lightweight supplies and equipment down the hatches of the submarine and onto the submersible launch barge."

Workers also moved a 2,000-ton submarine docked nearby to another location as they installed cranes at the shipyard. "They've removed the sub and installed a floating dock for a test of an SLBM in the same place, which could mean that they're up to something important," a military officer here said.

Shin Jong-woo of the Korea Defense and Security Forum said, "The North has deliberately revealed diagrams of new types of ballistic missiles including the latest Pukguksong-3 SLBM. Considering recent developments the regime is probably trying to put pressure on the U.S."

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