North Korea 'restoring' rocket site after Trump nuclear talks collapse

North Korea is reportedly rebuilding facilities at a long-range rocket launch site that was recently dismantled as part of peace talks with the US.

Roofs, walls and doors have been put up again at the Tongchang-ri complex, where several satellites have been launched over recent years.

It has been dormant since August 2018 and used to use intercontinental ballistic missile technology banned by the UN, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said.

The development comes after a high-stakes nuclear summit between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump broke down.

South Korean politicians were briefed about the site's restoration by the country's spy agency, according to the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper.

National Intelligence Service director Suh Hoon believes the move could be a ploy by Pyongyang to restart long-range missile test launches in the event nuclear disarmament talks completely collapse.

Alternatively, he suggested that North Korea may be adding new structures to blow up the site in dramatic fashion. This could be regarded as a commitment to denuclearisation when US inspectors visit if negotiations with Washington go well.