Satellite images show that North Korea could be about to launch a new ballistic missile submarine, according to a US-based think tank report.
Six barges and vessels are seen gathered around a construction hall quay at Sinpo South Shipyard, on the east coast of North Korea in commercial satellite imagery taken on September 18, said 38 North, which monitors North Korea.
And they could be involved in the building of new submarines capable of firing ballistic missiles, according to the report.
"While barges and a dry dock have been occasionally observed around the submarine launch quay at the main construction hall, the presence of six vessels and barges in this area has not been observed before," it stated.
It concluded that the activity suggests preparations to launch a submarine.
The report comes as US President Joe Biden accused North Korea of "blatantly violating UN sanctions" in a speech to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, citing the country as among the reasons to strengthen international nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
Analysts first spotted signs that at least one new submarine was being built in 2016, and in 2019 state media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a previously unreported submarine that was built under "his special attention" and that would be operational in the waters off the east coast.
State media at the time did not describe the submarine's weapons systems or say where and when the inspection took place, but analysts said the apparent size of the new vessel indicated it was designed to carry missiles.
North Korea has a large submarine fleet but only one known experimental submarine capable of carrying a ballistic missile.
Analysts have debated whether the apparent new missile submarine is a new design, or whether it is based on a modified Romeo Class of submarine originally acquired from China in the 1970s before North Korea began producing them domestically.
Amid an unprecedented flurry of missile tests this year, North Korea test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in May from near Sinpo, where North Korea keeps submarines as well as equipment for test-firing SLBMs.
Observers say North Korea has made preparations to resume nuclear testing for the first time since 2017, amid stalled denuclearisation talks.
Meanwhile, North Korea on Thursday said it has never supplied weapons or ammunition to Russia and has no plans to do so, while warning the United States to "keep its mouth shut" and stop circulating rumours aimed at "tarnishing" the country's image.
