A large-scale construction project has commenced at the Chongjin Shipyard on North Korea’s eastern coast, where the regime recently built a new class of destroyer. This development follows closely on the heels of North Korea’s plans to bolster its naval capabilities, as outlined in the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party.
U.S.-based North Korea watchdog NK News reported on Wednesday that satellite imagery from commercial provider Planet Labs revealed excavation work beginning in late January, just south of the Chongjin Shipyard. This is the same facility that launched the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon-ho last year.
On February 13, a prominent propaganda banner was erected at the excavation site, suggesting the project’s political significance and potential connection to warship construction, according to NK News analysts.
Satellite photos from February 26 show the excavation expanding eastward, further delineating the construction’s footprint. The site covers an area of up to 2.4 hectares, with new structures expected to be built.
While NK News cautions that it’s premature to determine the exact purpose of this construction, the activity suggests that Kim Jong Un remains committed to the Chongjin Shipyard for destroyer production. This is despite the disciplinary actions taken against senior officials following last year’s launch mishap. However, no evidence of new destroyers currently under construction has been observed at the shipyard.
North Korea unveiled its first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon-ho, at the Nampo Shipyard on April 26 last year. Less than a month later, on May 21, the regime held a launch ceremony for its second destroyer of this class, the Kang Kon-ho at the Chongjin Shipyard.
The launch of the Kang Kon-ho was marred by complications when the ship’s bow became lodged during the side-launch process, causing it to list. This incident led to disciplinary measures against responsible officials, and the vessel underwent approximately three weeks of repairs before being successfully relaunched in June.
During the June launch ceremony for the Kang Kon-ho, Kim boldly proclaimed that starting next year, it will deploy two destroyers of the Choe Hyon class or larger to operational waters annually.