N.K. could have repaired rocket site for dismantlement: minister

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Monday that North Korea could have repaired its rocket launch site in an effort to get the facility ready for dismantlement.

Satellite imagery has shown that the North has restored the Dongchang-ri site, or Sohae Satellite Launching Station, that the North had partially dismantled last year to show its denuclearization commitment.

Assessment of the move was divided, with some experts calling it part of preparations to conduct a missile launch following the collapse of last month's summit with the United States and others saying the restoration could be designed to spruce up the facility for dismantlement.

Asked for his assessment of the move, Cho said during a meeting of the parliamentary foreign affairs and unification affairs committee that there is "sufficient possibility" of the North rebuilding the site for dismantlement.

"As North Korea is continuing work, we need to look more carefully into North Korea's intentions," he said.

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