In the shadow of tension: Satellite photos show expansion of North Korea's missile production plant

Photographs from a plant used to launch long-range missiles reveal the construction of a new structure in the complex. This is in light of the fear that Pyongyang will launch a missile or rocket in the coming days. Former US National Security Advisor warns: "The risk to US forces and our allies is increasing"

In the shadow of tension: Satellite photos show expansion of North Korea's missile production plant

Satellite photos of a factory in North Korea that manufactures military equipment and previously used to launch long-range missiles reveal the construction of a new structure. The release of "Planet Labs" photography comes at a time of concern around the world that Pyongyang will launch a rocket or missile as part of its policy of increasing pressure on the United States. North Korea has warned that the "Christmas gift" to give the United States depends on what Washington plans to take.

One of the photos from December 19 shows the completion of the construction of a new building at the "March 16" plant near Pyongyang. It is estimated that the state develops and manufactures vehicles used as mobile launch vehicles for long-range ballistic missiles.

Satellite photo from factory near Pyongyang (Photo: AP)

Satellite image of a factory in North Korea producing military equipment used to launch missiles on December 19, 2019 (Photo: AP)

In the backdrop of the tensions, former United States National Security Advisor John Bolton criticized (Tuesday) a sharp criticism of United States President Donald Trump's policies toward North Korea. He warned that the country posed a "impending" threat. Bolton, who was ousted in September after mounting controversies with Trump, especially in relation to his policy toward Pyongyang, tweeted on Twitter that "the risk to U.S. forces and our allies is increasing." He added that "more effective policies are needed before North Korea finds the technology to threaten the American homeland."

The former national security adviser, who led a hawkish line with regard to North Korea, was openly skeptical during the 2018 summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un, and encouraged the US president to be cautious. The Pyongyang nuclear disarmament process has been frozen since the collapse of the second summit between the two leaders held in Hanoi earlier this year.

The US and South Korea blamed the capture of North Korean officials

"An imminent threat." US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (Photo: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, June 30, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

In an interview with the Axios website, a former Trump adviser said he thought his government was not going to prevent North Korea from becoming a nuclear force capable of launching missiles at other countries. According to him, if he meant it, "he would choose a different direction." Bolton added that "the thought that we put maximum pressure on North Korea is wrong."

Bolton referred to the possibility that North Korea would conduct a major test or other significant provocation after the end of the ultimatum, saying it hoped Washington would recognize its mistake and say "we tried. The policy failed." At this point, Bolton said, the United States should work with its allies to show that "when we say this is unacceptable, we are going to demonstrate that we will not accept it."

"The risk to American forces and our allies is increasing." Bolton (Photo: AP)

US National Security Advisor John Bolton at the Genghis Khan International Airport Press Conference on July 1, 2019 (Photo: AP)

"We have been almost three years in a seemingly unproven administration toward bringing North Korea to the strategic decision to stop pursuing nuclear weapons," Bolton stressed. "Time is on the side of a bang."

(First update: 06:50)