US CSIS Detects Improvements at North Korea Missile Base Facilities... Strengthening Strategic Forces Posture

5 Years of Satellite Image Analysis... Focus on Improving Living Standards

A U.S. think tank assessed on the 10th (local time) that North Korea appears to have steadily improved several missile base facilities over the past five years.

The Korea specialist site "Beyond Parallel" of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) analyzed satellite images of areas presumed to be missile-related bases in Hoejung-ri, Jagang Province; Galkol, South Hwanghae Province; and Geumcheon-ri, Kangwon Province, revealing such changes.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the site, these bases are part of North Korea's approximately 15 to 20 undisclosed ballistic missile bases and support facilities.

The Hoejung-ri missile base began constructing a building approximately 18m by 20m in size across the river near the second underground facility entrance around August 2023. The purpose of the underground facility and this building has not been confirmed. Additionally, one building was demolished in the command area, and several monuments were added.

The Galkol missile base created five semicircular zones measuring 31m by 20m west of the command post between November 5 and 26, 2022. CSIS stated that considering the size, location, and timing of these zones, they are presumed to be spaces for missile units to conduct mobile launcher (TEL) training during winter. November 2022 was one of the months when North Korea conducted the most missile launch tests.

At the Galkol base, around May 2023, the main entrance and checkpoint were dismantled, and two buildings were constructed to replace them on the east side. Between September and October 2023, the bridge west of the entrance was replaced with a concrete bridge capable of supporting greater loads. From the second half of 2021 through 2024, a large-scale construction project was carried out, demolishing all residential buildings in the nearby village and rebuilding them.

The Geumcheon-ri missile base relocated its main access road about 300 meters east to a new concrete bridge and paved road between May 2022 and May 2023 due to flooding. Nine residential buildings, whose construction began in 2022, were nearly completed, and additional buildings were added to the center of the base between 2022 and 2024.

CSIS evaluated that the construction carried out over the past five years mainly focused on modernizing residential facilities and improving the living standards of the Strategic Forces, including food supply. Since such changes appeared at multiple ballistic missile bases, it is seen as North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's ongoing efforts to elevate the status of the Strategic Forces, strengthen readiness, and boost morale.

North Korea established the Strategic Rocket Forces in 1999 as a separate organization from the army, navy, and air force to comprehensively operate missile forces. It is known to have organized 13 missile brigades under its command. As North Korea has emphasized its nuclear and missile development programs, the political and military significance of the Strategic Forces within the overall military has increased.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.