Military, Nuclear Weapons

North Korea’s No. 17 Explosives Factory: No Significant Activity

Key Findings

  • Satellite imagery acquired on March 21, 2019 and over the past six months indicates that the No. 17 Explosives Factory near Hamhung is active.
  • One of North Korea’s oldest and largest explosives factories, No. 17 is reported to be one of the primary, if not the primary, producer of large solid-propellant rocket motors for ballistic missiles such as the Pukguksong-1 and-2.
  • Solid fuel propellant makes North Korea’s missile force more survivable and less easily targetable in order to preempt a launch.
  • No. 17 Explosives Factory is one of many sites outside of Yongbyon that comprise North Korea’s WMD programs and attendant delivery systems.
  • While no significant changes have occurred with its infrastructure during this period, the factory was expanded during 2012 with the construction of a large mixing/casting facility capable of producing large solid-propellant rocket motors for ballistic missiles as noted in the United Nations Security Council’s Panel of Expert Report in 2017.

No. 17 Explosives Factory (Near Hamhung)

An overview of the No. 17 Explosives Factory as seen on March 21, 2019. (Copyright © 2019 by Airbus) (Click each image to view larger size)

A view of the northern section of the No. 17 Explosives Factory on March 21, 2019. (Copyright © 2019 by Airbus)

A close-up view of the northern mixing/casting facility and support buildings at the No. 17 Explosives Factory on March 21, 2019. (Copyright © 2019 by Airbus)

A view of the explosives storage bunkers, southern mixing/casting facility, headquarters, and support areas at the No. 17 Explosives Factory on March 21, 2019. (Copyright © 2019 by Airbus)

A view of the headquarters, production, and support areas at the No. 17 Explosives Factory on March 21, 2019. (Copyright © 2019 by Airbus)

A close-up view of the southern mixing/casting facility, and probable pouring and casting facilities, at the No. 17 Explosives Factory on March 21, 2019. (Copyright © 2019 by Airbus)

A close-up view of the explosives testing area at the No. 17 Explosives Factory on March 21, 2019. (Copyright © 2019 by Airbus)