Military

Sinpo South Shipyard Update: Continued Activity

February 23, 2022, by and
  • The telescoping crane that appeared in the secure boat basin sometime between January 5 and 8, 2022, is still present.
  • It is unclear if the telescoping crane – located adjacent to the infiltration mothership and aft of the 8.24 Yongung (August 24th Hero) experimental ballistic missile submarine (SSBA) – is an indicator of continued work on 8.24 Yongung SSBA, new work being undertaken on the infiltration mothership, an ongoing deception program, or a combination of these and other reasons.
  • It is important to note that the 8.24 Yongung SSBA suffered damages during its October 19, 2021 test launch of a “new type” SLBM.
  • The 8.24 Yongung plays a critical role in the underway development of submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), ballistic missile submarine technology, and operational procedures. It is also an indispensable tool for the hands-on training of new submariners.
A view of the secure boat basin at the Sinpo South Shipyard showing the repositioned submersible test stand barge, infiltration mother ship, and the continued dockside presence of a telescoping crane adjacent to the mothership. Click to enlarge. (Copyright © 2022 by Planet)

Satellite imagery acquired on February 16, 2022, shows continued presence of a telescoping crane adjacent to the infiltration mothership located aft of the 8.24 Yongung (August 24th Hero) SSBA—presumed to be under the canopy.

As described in our January report, the 8.24 Yongung suffered a malfunction resulting in damage during its October 19, 2021 test launch of a “new type” SLBM. It first underwent repair and maintenance work within the secure boat basin between October and November 2021. Further repairs were made within the Sinpo shipyard’s graving dock in early December before the 8.24 Yongung returned to the secure boat basin around December 16.

As noted in last week’s report, the submersible test stand barge and the infiltration mothership swapped positions sometime between January 5 and 8, 2022. The continued presence of the crane remains unusual despite the uncertainty surrounding whether it is part of a strategic deception plan or being used to work on the infiltration mothership or submarine.

No other significant activity was observed in the unobstructed portions of the Sinpo South Shipyard in the February 16 image.


Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. is an internationally recognized analyst, award-winning author, and lecturer on North Korean defense and intelligence affairs and ballistic missile development in developing countries. He is concurrently senior fellow for Imagery Analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Security (CSIS); senior adviser and imagery analyst for the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK); author for IHS Markit (formerly the Jane’s Information Group); and publisher and editor of KPA Journal. Formerly, he has served as founder and CEO of KPA Associates, LLC, senior imagery analyst for 38 North at Johns Hopkins SAIS, chief analytics officer and co-founder of AllSource Analysis, Inc., and senior all-source analyst for DigitalGlobe’s Analysis Center. 
 
Victor Cha is senior vice president and the inaugural holder of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 
 
Headline image credit: Copyright © 2022 by Planet