North Korea has ignored US threats to halt its reckless military development, with satellite photos revealing despot Kim Jong-un’s latest war toys.
Photos show North Korea is constructing powerful new submarines, cable of firing deadly ballistic missiles.
North Korea watchdog 38 North warned work has been underway at the Sinpo South Shipyard for a number of weeks.
They said the hermit state “is on an aggressive building schedule” and determined to deploy its first operational ballistic missile sub.
A report this week said: “Throughout 2017 there has been continued movement of parts and components into and out of the two parts yards adjacent to the constructions halls in the centre of the shipyard.
“Accompanying this has been the movement of the gantry and tower cranes that service the yards.”
The Washington-based group revealed the shipyard historically deals with submarine manufacturing – although said an imminent deployment is unlikely.
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The report said: “These activities suggest a prolonged and ongoing shipbuilding program, which is supported by the fact that the Sinpo South Shipyard has historically been the primary manufacturer of large submarines for the Korean People’s Navy.
“While both the submarine and test stand barge appear able to put to sea at relatively short notice, no activities are observed suggesting a forthcoming at-sea or submerged SLBM test.”
It comes after North Korea was left red-faced when a border guard fled across the demilitarised zone (DMZ) into South Korea.
The soldier was fired on by his former comrades as he escaped across the border and has since undergone life-saving surgery in the south.
He is believed to be an army staff sergeant in his mid-20s who was stationed in the Joint Security Area in the United Nations truce village of Panmunjom, according to Kim Byung-kee, a lawmaker of South Korea’s ruling party, briefed by the National Intelligence Service.
He was shot in his buttocks, armpit, shoulder and knee among other wounds, according to the hospital where the soldier is being treated.
Parasitic worms were also found in the soldier, highlighting nutrition and hygiene problems that experts say have plagued the isolated country for decades.
In 2014 Kim personally urged farmers to use human faeces, along with animal waste and organic compost, to fertilise their fields.