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South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has warned lawmakers that North Korea is making preparations for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch and another attempt to launch a reconnaissance satellite into orbit. The NIS shared this information during a closed committee session with lawmakers.

According to the NIS, active movements of ICBM launch support vehicles have been detected in Saneum-dong, Pyongyang. This suggests that North Korea is preparing for a long-range missile launch just before the trilateral summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The spy agency also noted other signs that indicate an imminent ICBM launch, such as frequent shipments from a factory where liquid-fuel propellant is manufactured and unusually active movements near solid-fuel missile production facilities. The NIS expects North Korea to conduct a joint drill across its various military branches, including the force responsible for launching missiles mounted with tactical nuclear weapons.

Additionally, the NIS believes that North Korea will attempt to launch a reconnaissance satellite in the coming weeks. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has prioritized completing technical preparations for this launch in the second half of the year. If the issues that caused the failure of the previous satellite launch are resolved, the second attempt may take place in late August or early September, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the North Korean regime on September 9.

The NIS also revealed that North Korea has been conducting intensive engine combustion tests since July to verify the reliability of the satellite launch vehicle. South Korean reconnaissance assets have observed new installations of satellite antennas to track the launch rocket and receive data transmissions.

The NIS attributes the failure of North Korea’s first reconnaissance satellite to engine defects, and the ongoing tests aim to rectify these flaws.

Overall, these findings by the NIS indicate that North Korea is actively preparing for missile launches and satellite launches, increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

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