Martyn Williams

1 week ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams

Commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station shows construction of the new railway spur is advancing while nearby, workers chip away at a large hillside near the east tunnel entrance. The railway spur will allow trains, presumably carrying rocket stages, to enter the site and head towards a new assembly building that has been under construction. Soil is being added to the rail bed for support.

1 week ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams

A large construction project, expected to be the centerpiece of a new international trade crossing with China, is beginning to take shape. Commercial satellite imagery shows the footprints of several buildings have appeared at the site, which is at the eastern end of a large, as-yet unused bridge that connects the two countries. The site is expected to be a customs and immigration center to handle freight and passengers crossing the New Yalu River Bridge.

1 week ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams

Exports of coal from North Korea’s major coal ports are at levels not seen in several years. Commercial satellite imagery shows large amounts of coal at the international port in Rason, centered around one pier operated by Russia’s Rason Transnational Container Transportation JVC (RasonConTrans). However, it is unclear if the coal is of North Korean origin or is being transshipped from Russia.

1 week ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams |Iliana Ragnone

The regional industry push under the banner of the 20×10 regional development plan seeks to foster sustainable manufacturing by building new light industrial hubs in 20 cities and counties every year for ten years. The plan began in 2024 and that year, installed factories for food, clothing and daily goods in 20 communities across the country. While the project is nationally driven from Pyongyang, it appears the state has not gone for a one-size-fits-all approach.

2 weeks ago | 38north.org | Martyn Williams

North Korea’s new naval destroyer was dedicated by Kim Jong Un last week, but it appears more work is necessary before it can truly take to the seas. Commercial satellite imagery shows the ship being nudged back towards the drydock just days after the ceremony. The use of tugboats to move the ship into place and back again could indicate the lack of a functioning propulsion system. Construction on the vessel began in May 2024 and has moved at a fast pace.