North Korea demolishes Pyongyang guesthouse, expands military facilities

North Korea’s landscape is dotted with special facilities known as “guesthouses,” owned by the Workers’ Party of Korea and affiliated organizations. Recently, the Ryokpo Guesthouse in Pyongyang’s Ryokpo District has undergone significant changes. Satellite imagery reveals that the guesthouse has been torn down and a portion of its pond filled in. The same images show extensive construction and land clearing in the surrounding area, suggesting the development of new military facilities.

Just across the nearby mountain, a vast artillery firing range spans Daewon Village. The guesthouse’s proximity to this range had long posed safety concerns. Coupled with its declining use in recent years, these factors likely influenced the decision to demolish the guesthouse. The subsequent expansion of the military training ground points to a broader strategy of bolstering national defense capabilities.

Pyongyang’s Ryokpo Guesthouse and artillery range

At the Ryokpo Guesthouse in Pyongyang’s Ryokpo District, all facilities including the residence and greenhouses have been demolished, and unknown construction is in full swing. Recent Maxar WorldView satellite images show extensive site development work nearby.

NK PRO first reported on the guesthouse demolition in early May. Recent high-resolution satellite images captured the demolition of residential facilities, partial filling of the pond, and newly identified large-scale construction and site clearing work in the surrounding area.

The Ryokpo Guesthouse’s location has long been a concern due to its proximity to military facilities. Just 900 meters away, across the mountain, lies an extensive artillery firing range in Daewon Village. This range spans 3.4 kilometers and features eight numbered targets along the mountain ridge. Each target, made of white cement and measuring 15-30 meters long, includes circular bullseyes with marked impact scores.

Satellite imagery reveals a disturbing detail: the remains of a destroyed Blue House model above the firing range. This model was the centerpiece of a December 2016 military exercise, where North Korean special forces simulated an attack on South Korea’s presidential complex. Kim Jong Un reportedly observed as his elite troops demolished the replica. The model’s skeleton still stands, a stark reminder of North Korea’s ongoing hostility towards South Korea.

Demolition of Ryokpo guesthouse and reclaimed pond

Guesthouse demolition and new construction

The former Ryokpo Guesthouse site is now a hive of construction activity. A massive 80-meter-long structure dominates the landscape, surrounded by numerous smaller buildings spread across six hectares. Adjacent farmland is also undergoing transformation, with mysterious circular formations visible from above. These developments strongly suggest a major expansion of military training facilities.

While the exact reasons for this overhaul remain unclear, the guesthouse’s demolition likely stems from its declining relevance in recent years. Given the site’s proximity to the sprawling artillery range in Daewon Village, this redevelopment appears to be part of a broader strategy. North Korea’s leadership seems intent on bolstering national defense by significantly expanding its military training infrastructure.