North Korea has been accused of digitally altering photographs of its latest nuclear missile test-launch.
Images of the launch of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) show it being blasted off into the night against a starry sky – but there are inconsistencies in the photos.
Photos supposedly taken from the same angle show different star constellations in the background, an expert claims.
Fake News? Dr Marco Langbroek spotted inconsistencies in the background on two images taken from the same angle, indicating that the photos have been digitally altered
It is not known why North Korea would alter their images, but it is thought it could be purely for aesthetic reasons.
Academic Dr Marco Langbroek spotted the differences between the images and tweeted comparisons of two photos taken from the same viewpoint.
‘So, I just discovered that the North Koreans DID tamper with their #Hwasong15 launch photo’s! Two images from clearly same viewpoint, but dramatically different star backgrounds! Orion (Southeast) versus Andromeda (Northwest)!’
Dr Langbroek, based in Leiden, The Netherlands, also pointed out that in one of the images, the Sirius star is missing from the Canis Major constellation.
‘You should see constellations that are opposites in the sky. That is not the case,’ Dr Langbroek told CNN.
Altered: Dr Langbroek also pointed out that in one of the images, the Sirius star is missing from the Canis Major constellation.
Different: In another post, Dr Langbroek highlighted that one image has Andromeda in the background and another has Orion
North Korea launched the Hwasong-15 ICBM on Wednesday, and it travelled 600 miles before it broke apart in the air and landed in waters near Japan.
While it is thought it could have the potential of striking targets as far as 8,100 miles away, analysts agree that Pyongyang the North may not have yet mastered all the technology required to successfully hit the US with a nuclear warhead.
Later today, a senior United Nations envoy is due to land in North Korea for a rare visit to discuss ‘issues of mutual interest and concern’ with officials.
Three chees: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrates after giving an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic rocket Hwasong-15
U.S. diplomat Jeffrey Feltman, The UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, will also meet with foreign diplomats and UN workers during his four-day visit.
A UN spokesperson said Monday that they are unable to say whether Feltman will meet with Kim Jong-Un.
His trip comes a day after the United States and South Korea launched their biggest-ever joint air exercise – manoeuvres slammed by Pyongyang as an ‘all-out provocation’.
The five-day Vigilant Ace drill involves 230 aircraft, including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters, and tens of thousands of troops, Seoul’s air force said.