‘Artificial’ Seismic Activity Detected From North Korea; 2.1 Magnitude

The Korea Times reported that the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) detected an ‘artificial’ 2.1 magnitude earth tremor from the Sohae launch facility in the North Korean mining town of Pyonggang (not to be confused Pyongyang). A KMA official said, “The epicenter is measured to be near the land surface.”

KMA presumes it was the result of an explosion inside a mine.

The newspaper stated that “It took place two days after South Korea’s spy agency revealed North Korea was rebuilding part of a dismantled long-range missile test launch site in Sohae.” North Korea has carried out satellite launches from this location in the past.

Zerohedge’s Tyler Durden reported that while it’s too early to say whether this was the result of what would be the country’s seventh nuclear test, it’s worth noting that two of the North’s previous launches generated earthquakes with magnitudes 2.1 and 3.4, respectively.”

According to The South China Post:

Two US think tanks and South Korean media released reports on March 5, 2019, saying North Korea is rebuilding structures at its Sohae Satellite Launching Station.

Construction at the site reportedly took place sometime between February 16 and March 2, and possibly was underway while US President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi, Vietnam on February 27-28.

Kim promised to dismantle the Sohae site during his first summit with Trump in June 2018.

Trump said he would be disappointed in Kim if the latest reports are true. In the wake of the reports, US National Security Adviser John Bolton also warned of new sanctions on the North Korean regime.

News about rebuilding work at the site came a week after talks broke down at the Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi. One issue being negotiated was regarding what Kim would get from Trump in exchange for agreeing to disable the North’s Yongbyon nuclear facility that produces material that could be used to make nuclear weapons. The North Korean leader wanted all sanctions on his country to be lifted. The summit ended without a deal.

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