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K-2 tanks during a South Korea-US military drill at Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, South Korea
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This satellite picture by Planet Labs PBC shows activity at a newly built launch pad at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station near Tongchang-ri, North Korea, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Satellite images taken Tuesday analyzed by The Associated Press showed activity at a main pad at North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launching Station – suggesting the satellite's blast off would be soon. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
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Activity at the station suggests blast off would be soon
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Activity at the station suggests blast off would be soon
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IXAWZOWNQ7VDH7K7DGQ4WBLB6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=988b91ea3671eb303cfac51cbdf7984723ad48cfd884938fb374b3a374c296fe&width=400&height=225)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the satellite launching ground
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This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is a test of a rocket last December
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YKVLCKQHQ4MJWL3IWIQLW6ZGPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5347742f6bc36f0250953a27e10e75bbffa703a83cb48e17f697e261391583be&width=400&height=225)
K-2 tanks during a South Korea-US military drill at Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, South Korea
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PJYJ6O7FB6L3YBG2GPJHMOJEZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8a1b5ab9d647c404493372a3fdecfb9aee9f2d2590b236bdf3957239017c548&width=400&height=225)
This satellite picture by Planet Labs PBC shows activity at a newly built launch pad at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station near Tongchang-ri, North Korea, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Satellite images taken Tuesday analyzed by The Associated Press showed activity at a main pad at North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launching Station – suggesting the satellite's blast off would be soon. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KHLZB65ZPMWSUQ75VEG73QGNV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f6a104dfcf55fd6a025157386eeb0ce9b0c9afee4c7ffad651194b4a610b18b&width=400&height=225)
Activity at the station suggests blast off would be soon
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PRV3ZU7KD4USHKBOCSEGQ47L54.jpg?smart=true&auth=5efffad59627daac9a05890bee68a4a208f9e31fdf1380bed5d27b0d7f78652b&width=400&height=225)
Activity at the station suggests blast off would be soon
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IXAWZOWNQ7VDH7K7DGQ4WBLB6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=988b91ea3671eb303cfac51cbdf7984723ad48cfd884938fb374b3a374c296fe&width=400&height=225)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the satellite launching ground
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/INSBLGPWQXHTNW6R2WYFXLXYQU.jpg?smart=true&auth=82992e817879a3887206b4b5f4c003a505318851dac19b295e53ef4314a48311&width=400&height=225)
This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is a test of a rocket last December
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YKVLCKQHQ4MJWL3IWIQLW6ZGPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5347742f6bc36f0250953a27e10e75bbffa703a83cb48e17f697e261391583be&width=400&height=225)
K-2 tanks during a South Korea-US military drill at Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, South Korea
See the potential launch pad for North Korea's first spy satellite
Japan has said it would shoot down any projectile that threatens its territory
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The National
30 May, 2023
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