Analysts report that a maritime dock near North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, is nearing completion. This development could accelerate Pyongyang’s preparations for launching military reconnaissance satellites.
On Wednesday, 38 North, a U.S.-based website specializing in North Korea analysis, reported these findings based on satellite imagery captured by the Pleiades Neo Earth observation satellite on July 26.
The satellite images reveal a dock connected to the launch site by road, featuring large vessel berthing facilities and what appear to be rail systems on both sides. These rails are likely intended for crane installations to handle heavy cargo loading and unloading operations.
38 North assessed that while the port construction, which began in March 2023, progressed slowly for the first two years, it has gained significant momentum since April.
ICEYE, a satellite monitoring firm, also reported identifying newly constructed docks and vessels in satellite imagery of the Sohae launch site area captured on November 9.
ICEYE analysts suggest that this new dock could facilitate the transportation of large missiles and rocket components previously difficult to move by rail. This development may streamline the logistics for reconnaissance satellites and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) parts.
In November 2023, North Korea launched its Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite from this site using the Chollima-1 launch vehicle. While Pyongyang had announced plans to launch three additional reconnaissance satellites last year, it has not conducted any further launches following a failed attempt. The ongoing infrastructure expansion at the Sohae launch site is likely linked to future satellite launch operations.
The Sohae Satellite Launching Station, also known as the Dongchang-ri launch site, is believed to have been completed around 2009. The facility is equipped with underground systems for automatic fueling of large missiles and rockets, as well as storage facilities for fuel and oxidizers. North Korea has utilized this site for testing and developing ICBMs and long-range satellite launch vehicles.