New Construction at Sohae Satellite Launching Station
Commercial satellite imagery shows an uptick in construction work at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station. Several new projects around the coastal launch pad area have begun, while work continues on longer-running projects.
Despite the new and ongoing construction around the site, the coastal launch pad—where the last three satellite launch attempts were conducted—appears ready to use at any time. The South Korean military recently suggested launch preparations may be ongoing, but no signs of imminent launch have been observed. Moreover, North Korea has not filed any impact exclusion zones or launch windows, as they have ahead of previous launches.
Coastal Launch Pad
The coastal launch pad itself appears quiet, with nothing to indicate a launch is imminent. That said, it is likely ready to use at any time.
Just south of the launch pad, work has picked up. Road construction continues, including the emergence of a new revetment where the main road splits into two separate paths down to the seaport.
The smaller branch of this roadway, first identified in October last year, now leads to an area of new construction. There, the foundations of three new buildings have been laid, as well as what appear to be two new concrete pads. These structures are at the end of a new hairpin turn that highlights the steepness of the drop to this area. The pads are not currently joined, although dirt is being filled into the area around and between them, making the final footprint of this area yet unclear.
The existing coastal launch pad is about 5,000 square meters. Although the new construction area is significantly smaller, the prospects of it becoming a second coastal launch pad(s) cannot be ruled out.
Approximately 1.3 kilometers northwest of the existing launch pad, new construction has appeared at a site previously used as a VIP viewing area.
The walls of the protective berm have been reconfigured to wrap around a new building under construction. Imagery shows the building consists of several large rooms. This configuration may indicate a new control center or possibly a combined launch observation and control center.
The conclusion that it was a VIP viewing area was based on photos of Kim Jong Un observing the last satellite launch from this location. Until recently, there were no indications further construction would occur. Whether conversion of this area was always planned or came about after guidance during a leadership inspection tour is unclear.
Additionally, a dump truck is parked at the site. Small trees have been planted on the top of the berm except in the portion that would block the view of the launch pad.
Tunnel and Probable New Horizontal Assembly Building
Work on the East-West tunnel that links the secure Sohae facility to the coastal road continues.
At the east entrance, the roadway exiting the tunnel has been smoothed and readied for paving. Since the end of March, two temporary support buildings and construction materials have been removed from the surrounding area. Water is still visible on the road, suggesting that workers are still dealing with wet conditions inside the tunnel. This is likely to get worse during the rainy summer months. Pumps could still be needed inside the tunnel to help with water management.
At the west entrance, numerous roofing trusses are visible at various locations around the entrance. They will likely be used to extend the covered area of the tunnel, putting it farther to the west than it is currently.
At the new probable horizontal assembly building, work on the walls appears almost finished, with just the roof to be added.
Assembly Building
At the old Horizontal Assembly Building, there are several personnel and a crane truck observed in the courtyard on the north side of the building. They are apparently loading or unloading concrete posts into or from trucks. The distinctive blue and white colored tanks remain in the courtyard on the south side of the building. Their contents are still unknown.
Seaport
At the seaport, work is moving slowly but steadily. The latest image reveals a better look at some blocks in the sea alongside the jetty construction work. The jetty is unchanged from our previous analysis but the uncovered blocks and damp sand on the adjacent beach help reveal how far the tide retreats.
The intended configuration of the port is still unclear, but the tidal effect will have to be addressed if it is to be available for use at any time day or night. This can either be done by dredging to create deeper channels or encircling the area with a tidal basin and lock to enter and exit.
Railway Track and Security Building
On the rail tracks just outside of the main entrance to the launch center, several rail cars are visible. None appear related to the carrying of rocket components, but not all are open gondola cars.
