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3 weeks ago | 
38north.org | Iliana Ragnone |Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu
Military Affairs, Satellite Imagery Kim Jong Un’s instructions to restore its capsized Choe Hyun Class destroyer before the end of June have been met with skepticism. Commercial satellite imagery shows workers at the port in Chongjin have taken a significant step towards that goal. Imagery from June 2 shows the warship in the upright position for the first time since the accident on May 21.
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2 months ago | 
38north.org | Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Iliana Ragnone |Martyn Williams
Commercial satellite imagery of Nampho Port indicates North Korea’s newest warship has likely left the construction hall and is positioned inside a floating drydock berthed at the newly refurbished quay. It has been less than a year since the first observable signs of construction were seen at Nampho, the west coast command headquarters for North Korea’s navy and the country’s largest commercial port.
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Mar 21, 2025 | 
38north.org | Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Iliana Ragnone |Martyn Williams
As springtime brings warmer weather and softer ground, work to expand the road and rail infrastructure throughout North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station continues. Recent commercial satellite imagery indicates that efforts to cut a new road, or possible rail bed, connecting the east tunnel entrance with the coastal launch pad and southern seaport are underway, which could allow for vehicles or launch materials to easily travel to and from the various parts of the complex.
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Jan 31, 2025 | 
38north.org | Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Iliana Ragnone
North Korea’s Nampho Port continues to be the focus of construction and expansion activity, emphasizing its growing importance within North Korea’s economic and military infrastructure. Commercial satellite imagery shows continued work to expand the dual-use shipbuilding area, the completion of new petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) storage and berthing facilities, and movement at the commercial container port.
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Jan 6, 2025 | 
38north.org | Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Martyn Williams |Iliana Ragnone
Recent commercial satellite imagery of the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center indicates roof repairs at the Radiochemical Laboratory’s (RCL) Thermal (Steam) Plant appears complete, covering recently-installed new or refurbished steam boilers. While occasional smoke emissions have been observed coming from the plant—a usual indicator of reprocessing activity—the inconsistent frequency suggests a reprocessing campaign is not underway.
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Nov 14, 2024 | 
38north.org | Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Iliana Ragnone
Two months after Kim Jong Un visited Tapchon Port on North Korea’s east coast and announced plans to build a large naval base, commercial satellite imagery shows no signs of construction advancing at the site. Tapchon is part of a larger complex of naval facilities in the Munchon area, previously the home of the KPA East Fleet Headquarters. However, across the bay, there is significant work to expand the existing October 3 Dockyard and Korean People’s Army (KPA) Navy Unit 155 Base.
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Nov 8, 2024 | 
38north.org | Iliana Ragnone |Jack J. Liu |Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky
Commercial satellite imagery shows that work at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station is progressing. South Korean intelligence reported on October 29 that North Korea appears to be ready to conduct another satellite launch attempt—with the acquisition of parts and technological cooperation with Russia—in what would be its first attempt since the failed launch of the Malligyong-1-1 reconnaissance satellite in May 2024.
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Nov 8, 2024 | 
38north.org | Martyn Williams |Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Iliana Ragnone
Commercial satellite imagery of Nampho Port indicates previously identified work on a ship repair way is part of a much larger project that will significantly upgrade the facility. Nampho, located on the west coast of North Korea, is both the country’s primary ship construction and repair facility and its largest commercial port, known for its coal, petroleum, oil and commercial goods imports and exports.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
38north.org | Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Iliana Ragnone |Martyn Williams
Commercial satellite imagery reveals modernization efforts at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station have steadily progressed since the failed launch of a Malligyong-1-1 reconnaissance satellite in May 2024. As part of Kim Jong Un’s instructions to expand and modernize the facility, several construction projects—such as a new horizontal assembly building and rail spur connecting the site’s entrance to the coastal roadway—continue to progress.
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Sep 25, 2024 | 
38north.org | Peter Makowsky |Jack J. Liu |Martyn Williams |Iliana Ragnone
Commercial satellite imagery indicates a large structure is under construction on one of the repair ways at Nampho Port. While the purpose of the structure is unclear, it is unlike other recent construction efforts and will have the effect of concealing any work taking place within it. Nampho is North Korea’s largest commercial port and is known for its extensive coal, petroleum, oil and commercial goods import and export facilities.
