Seoul ( CNN ) -- New images of North Korea 's main satellite launch site show that an upgrade allowing for larger rockets has been completed , raising the possibility of a fresh launch within the year , a new report says . Based on satellite images of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station , located on North Korea 's west coast close to the Chinese border , the report was posted on the 38 North website , run by the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University . `` North Korea is now ready to move forward with another rocket launch , '' concluded the report by retired imagery technology expert Nick Hansen , adding that if the political decision were made to proceed , `` a rocket could be launched by the end of 2014 . '' The satellite pictures appeared to show that a yearlong construction project at the Sohae facility had been completed , including the upgrade of the launch pad and gantry tower to enable the launch of rockets larger than the existing Unha-3 space launch vehicle , said the report . A South Korean Defense Ministry official , who would not be named in accordance with protocol , said Seoul was monitoring developments . `` Our military is observing closely all activities regarding the situation of construction and possibility of a missile launch at the North Korean Sohae Launching Site , '' the official said . Larger rockets ? The U.S.-Korea Institute said the development would allow the Sohae facility to launch rockets up to 50 meters in length -- considerably larger than the Unha-3 , which is about 30 meters long . North Korea last fired an Unha-3 in December 2012 , in a controversial launch that successfully put a satellite in orbit . While Pyongyang insisted the test was for scientific purposes , many nations , including the United States and South Korea , considered it a cover for testing ballistic missile technology . The launch resulted in increased U.N. sanctions on the diplomatically isolated state . The 38 North report stated that the `` most likely candidate '' for any potential launch remained the existing Unha-3 , since the `` much larger rocket , reportedly under development , is at least several years from becoming operational . '' The satellite images also indicated Pyongyang had conducted engine-tests for a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM ) , the KN-08 , it said , which had been ongoing at the site for at least two years . `` It remains unclear how successful these tests have been . However , rocket motor tests are typically conducted prior to full-scale test launches of a missile that precede a weapon becoming operational , '' said the report . Any decision to launch a rocket would ultimately hinge on political considerations , it said . Is North Korea still digging tunnels to the South ? 'Long-term commitment ' Daniel A. Pinkston , North East Asia deputy project director at the International Crisis Group , said the reported activity at Sohae was consistent with Pyongyang 's statements regarding space launches . `` The Kim family regime has demonstrated the long-term commitment -- over 30 years -- to develop long-range missiles , '' he said . `` It is important to recognize the relative scale of the investment for an economy the size of the DPRK 's . State media and other institutions extol the space program and asserts it is absolutely necessary for the country 's economic development . '' While any decision by Pyongyang to proceed with a launch would take into account domestic and international factors , he said , `` In my view , the DPRK government is fully committed to conducting additional satellite launches , and can not be dissuaded by the international community . '' The Unha-3 did not have military applications , but North Korean scientists and engineers were able to `` apply the know-how they 've acquired from the Unha-3 to other missiles , '' he said . `` The DPRK has continued to develop missiles with the intention of acquiring an ICBM , '' he said .
A new report says North Korea has completed a major upgrade of its launch center . It says the upgrade will allow for larger rockets to be launched . It says Pyongyang is continuing testing on a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile . Analysts expect Pyongyang to continue with its rockets program despite international opposition .