The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of Mike Chinoy and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S.-China Institute or the NewsCertified Exchange.

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Mike Chinoy, a former CNN correspondent who has visited North Korea 15 times, said the current confusion about Pyongyang's capabilities recall a similar episode in 1998, when U.S. spy satellites discovered an underground complex at Kumchangri, not far from North Korea's main nuclear facility at Yongbyon.

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