Recent commercial satellite imagery shows construction work at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, according to a May 5 report by 38 North.
The new building site appears to be a kilometer north-northwest of ongoing construction on a new seaport, a road and a tunnel that, when completed, will likely be used to receive and transport supplies to the secured facility.
Increased activity and new structures
Last month, agricultural buildings were reportedly demolished where the newly discovered construction site is now located, with work beginning between Apr. 19 and 30. Just a week later, the first floor of a new building appeared to be nearly complete. 38 North also noticed temporary worker shacks in the satellite photos, as well as several truck deliveries on Apr. 30.
Meanwhile, work on the infrastructure connecting the launch pad to the new port area also appears to be ongoing. The satellite images analyzed by 38 North depict several vehicles outside the entrances to the east and west tunnels. The support building near to the west tunnel reportedly has a visible foundation with walls and internal structures.
However, no significant developments were observed on the launch ramp itself. The gantry tower and wall sections are currently stored away and have yet to be installed. 38 North noticed only minor vehicle and construction activities at the vertical and horizontal engine test stands.
The purpose of the new buildings remains unclear
Both the reason for the newly discovered construction work and its duration are currently unknown.
It is possible that the new buildings are an attempt to modernize and expand the Sohae Satellite Launching Station – a goal North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un established a year ago.
According to the state newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Kim and officials from the Munitions Industry Department, the Academy of National Defense Science and the National Aerospace Development Administration, toured the station on Mar. 11, 2022, and “set forth a target for modernizing it and the detailed orientation and ways to do so.”
Sohae Station is North Korea’s only permanent operational test ground for major weapons systems, such as the high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine launched on Dec. 15, 2022.
Edited by Robert Lauler.
