North Korea is carrying out new construction at a large-scale military training base east of Pyongyang, according to a report by the U.S.-based North Korea-focused media outlet NK News on Wednesday.
Satellite images taken by Planet Labs in the second week of January indicate that excavation work has begun on a site covering approximately 15 hectares within a valley in Kangdong.
The purpose of the construction remains unclear. However, it is speculated that the site may be used to build obstacles or structures for future training exercises or related to preparations influenced by combat operations in the Russia-Ukraine war.
This training base is considered one of the most active sites for North Korea’s recent military exercises. In March last year, it hosted large-scale tank unit combat drills, which Kim Jong Un observed, and infantry training.
NK News also reported that a residential village was demolished last month near another military base of a similar scale along the Taedong River in eastern Pyongyang. The report suggests that the area is likely being cleared for new military training facilities.
This military base is centered around the Jindallae Guesthouse, which Kim is known to frequent. The site includes launch pads used in recent years for North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and hypersonic missile tests. Additionally, a separate area within the base is designated for the simultaneous launch of short-range missiles.
North Korea reportedly began reclaiming approximately 150 hectares of riverside land in this area in March 2024. Furthermore, over 100 houses adjacent to the base were demolished in December, and land-clearing operations have continued through the end of January.
While the construction could be part of North Korea’s ongoing rural housing development projects in recent years, NK News also suggested that it may serve to conceal sensitive military activities from residents and facilitate the supervision of military training.