The U.S. think tank, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), revealed on Wednesday that its Korea-focused program, Beyond Parallel, has identified a clandestinely constructed ballistic missile operational base near the Chinese border.
The CSIS report indicates that the base is situated in a mountainous region near Sinpung-dong, North Hamgyong Province, approximately 27 kilometers (about 16.8 miles) from the Chinese border, 146 kilometers (about 90.7 miles) from Pyongyang, and about 340 kilometers (about 211.2 miles) from Seoul.
Covering roughly 22 square kilometers (about 8.5 square mile), the facility’s construction began in 2004 and is believed to have become operational around 2014.
Satellite imagery analysis by CSIS reveals that the base comprises access control points, barracks, administrative areas, advanced missile inspection facilities, extensive underground structures, and supply depots.
CSIS stated that this newly identified missile base, discovered through open-source intelligence, likely houses a brigade-level unit. Further noting that it’s estimated to be equipped with 6 to 9 Hwasong-15 or Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), or possibly a new, undisclosed ICBM type, along with associated transporter erector launchers (TELs) or mobile erector launchers (MELs).
The report suggests that in crisis or wartime scenarios, these launchers and missiles would deploy from the base, rendezvous with specialized warhead storage and transport units, and conduct launch operations from pre-designated dispersed sites.
CSIS assesses that the Sinpung-dong missile base, together with other undeclared strategic missile facilities like those in Hoejung-ri, Sangnam-ri, and Yongnim, forms a crucial component of North Korea’s evolving ballistic missile strategy and its expanding strategic nuclear deterrent and strike capabilities.
The base’s proximity to the Chinese border is considered a deliberate measure to deter potential U.S. preemptive strikes.
The report estimates that there are at least 15 to 20 undisclosed missile bases across North Korea, including the Sinpung-dong facility.
CSIS emphasized that these bases have not been officially acknowledged by North Korea nor addressed in any denuclearization talks with the U.S., underscoring their status as a direct nuclear threat to the U.S. and its allies.