Why North Korea have rebuild the Transfer Structure in 2018/2019 ?

CSIS -- March 09, 2019
Bermudez, J. & Cha, V.
The environmental covers around the umbilical tower have been closed on the launch tower.

38 North -- March 07, 2019
Jack Liu, Irv Buck & Jenny Town
At the launch pad, work on the rail-mounted transfer structure appears to have been completed by March 6 and the structure may now be operational. The cranes have been removed from the pad and the overhead trusses that were being installed on the roof have been covered. The mobile structure is now situated at the far end of the launch pad adjacent to the checkout building. Several vehicles are parked near the now closed again gantry tower.

38 North -- March 05, 2019
Jack Liu & Jenny Town
On the launch pad, the rail-mounted transfer building is being reassembled. Two support cranes are observed at the building, the walls have been erected and a new roof added. The walls appear to be one segment taller (no !) than the previous transfer building and new truss is being installed. The materials that have been stacked on the pad over the past few months are gone. The environmental covers around the umbilical tower have been opened.

             


CSIS -- January 30, 2019
Bermudez, J. & Cha, V.
North Korea Reportedly Renews Commitment to Dismantle the Sohae Launch Facility

The launch pad shows that the rail-mounted processing/transfer structure remains in the center of the pad. The roof support structure, and portions of two vertical walls removed. Dismantled components are observed stacked in front of the structure and by the rail transfer point to the south. This status has not changed in the past five months.
 

         
January 20


January 20

38 North -- July 23, 2018
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.
North Korea Begins Dismantling Key Facilities at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station
Commercial satellite imagery of the launch pad from July 20 shows that the rail-mounted processing/transfer structure has been moved to the middle of the pad, exposing the underground rail transfer point—one of the few times it has been seen in this location. The roof and supporting structure have been partially removed and numerous vehicles are present—including a large construction crane. An image from two days later shows the continued presence of the crane and vehicles. Considerable progress has been made in dismantling the rail-mounted processing/transfer structure. One corner has been completely dismantled and the parts can be seen lying on the ground. In both images the two fuel/oxidizer bunkers, main processing building and gantry tower remain untouched.

Air  Defense & Space, August 03: It seems to prove my thesis that this is just a reconstruction of the Transfer Structure. The demolition has not progressed and the crane has been removed.
Air  Defense & Space, August 27: No further changes.



July 20



July 22



August 03