N. Korea installs observatory near nuclear test site: 38 North

SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Satellite imagery shows that North Korea is preparing to build a stand for visitors to observe the dismantling of its nuclear test site, a U.S. website monitoring the reclusive regime said Sunday.

According to 38 North, the imagery from May 15 indicates that steps are being taken to close down the Punggye-ri test site.

North Korea said last month that it would close its nuclear test site and halt nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests ahead of a planned meeting between its leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump in June.

"The unusual activity observed a week ago, on the hillside near the West Portal, could represent the stockpiling of tunnel timbers and or building materials reclaimed from the ongoing dismantlement effort, but given the exposed hillside location with an unobstructed viewshed, the most likely explanation is that it will form an observation platform to allow journalists to safely view the explosive closure of the North and West Portals," according to the article by 38 North.

The article said that small buildings have also been removed, while key structures remain intact.

"Preparations do, therefore, appear to continue ahead of the visit by foreign journalists to witness the final site closure during May 23-25," the article said.

khj@yna.co.kr
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