September 30, 2024, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Satellite images of the NK-China border indicate that trade between the two countries is gradually recovering to pre-pandemic levels. However, this restoration of trade was upended when unusually heavy rains struck the area in late July... Overview of the Dandong, Sinuiju, and Uiju Areas, September 8, 2024. (Copyright © 2024 by…
August 8, 2024, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Beyond Parallel reviewed satellite imagery of the Russia-North Korea border at the Tumangang-Khasan railroad crossing from early February to mid-July 2024, a few months before and a few weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea on June 18. The analysis between February and July 2024 shows a new railcar traffic pattern at the Russia-North Korea border.
April 15, 2024, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Recent satellite imagery reveals ongoing high-level utilization of Russia's Tikhoretsk Munitions Storage Facility, where munitions from North Korea are being stored... An overview of Tikhoretsk Munitions Storage Facility, April 7, 2024. (Copyright © 2024 by Planet)…
February 28, 2024, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Ammunition supplies have become critical in the Ukraine war. CSIS studied hundreds of commercially available satellite images since August 2023 on the continuing transfer of large quantities of munitions between North Korea and Russia... Interactive Map of North Korean Munitions Routes to Russia. Zoom to view images and text.…
December 8, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Satellite images of Najin Port over the past two months show a high level of activity, suggesting that arms transfer between DPRK and Russia continue... Overview of Piers 2 and 3 at Najin (Rajin) Port, October 23, 2023. (Copyright ©…
October 17, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Latest satellite imagery of Najin Port indicates that at least six trips transporting munitions have been made by sea between North Korea and Russia... Overview of the piers at Najin (Rajin) Port, October 16, 2023. Changes observed at Pier…
October 6, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
A few weeks after the Kim-Putin summit, satellite imagery show an unprecedented level of rail traffic at the DPRK-Russia border... Closeup of the Tumangang Rail Facility, October 5, 2023. Image shows an unprecedentedly high level of railcar traffic at the North Korean station at the...
February 17, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Analysis of recent commercially available satellite imagery of the Russia–North Korea railroad crossing suggests significantly increased energy and economic trade as Pyongyang seeks to tighten ties with Moscow... An approximate count of the railcars at Khasan and Tumangang shows the movement of railcars…
November 15, 2021, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Over 16 months after its shutdown of the border with China to prevent COVID transmission, North Korea has seen delays in its efforts to re-open commerce with its primary trade partner. The conversion of Uiju Airbase into a disinfection facility started in early 2021, but the most recent satellite imagery as of November 12 shows no signs of being operational, indicating a delay of at least six months from its original opening plans. Smaller-scale disinfection facilities at other crossings appear to be in development.
May 6, 2021, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Satellite imagery supports open-source reporting that the North Korea-China border has likely been closed to trade since January 2020 due to the North Korean government’s precautions against the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. However, a recent increase in the volume of rail cars in the Dandong and Sinuiju Customs areas, as well as the removal of protective coverings at the Sinuiju rail terminal and freight yard (between March 31 and April 1), suggest preparations to resume exports to China that would provide North Korea with some hard currency.
