North Korea is preparing to install intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Satellite imagery from the US shows North Korea preparing for a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or medium-range missile.

North Korea's Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile is shown in a photo released on July 4th - Photo: Reuters

CNN, citing two government officials familiar with intelligence matters, confirmed there were indications of another missile test by Pyongyang.

Satellite imagery has revealed several images and radar signals suggesting that North Korea may be conducting tests of missile control components for an ICBM or medium-range missile launch.

The aforementioned US officials also speculated that North Korea was continuing preparations for a submarine-launched missile test, although US intelligence assessed this to be only the initial stage of preparation.

On July 4th, North Korea reportedly successfully tested an ICBM. The latest information from CNN, citing General Paul Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warns that Pyongyang has developed sophisticated techniques to conceal its missile tests.

“I believe in our intelligence community’s ability to observe the test, but I’m not sure we saw the deployment of these missile systems. Kim Jong Un and his military are very good at camouflage, concealment, and deception,” General Paul Selva told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on July 18.

According to General Selva, the US believes that North Korea's ICBM development capabilities are still limited, and Pyongyang has not yet demonstrated the ability to effectively attack the US.

However, the U.S. military leader suggested that North Korea's long-range missile guidance and control systems may have improved before any of their missiles could actually strike the U.S.

General Selva, who has been deeply involved in the U.S. missile defense program, believes that President Donald Trump must consider decisive options to counter the threat from North Korea.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary James Mattis has long warned that tensions with North Korea could reach the point of conflict, and has pushed for diplomatic measures to address the situation.

Meanwhile, senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States, and Japan met on July 19 and reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation in addressing North Korea's nuclear program.

Many analysts believe that the North Korean issue is a high priority on the meeting agenda, given that it comes after Pyongyang test-fired an ICBM on July 4th. The launch raised concerns that North Korea is moving closer to developing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

According to tuoitre.vn