Though the subject of speculation by open-source researchers for years, research undertaken by Beyond Parallel has located 15 of an estimated 20 North Korean missile operating bases that are undeclared by the government. These bases have never been part of any denuclearization negotiation with the United States.
These missile operating bases, which can be used for all classes of ballistic missile from short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) up to and including intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), would presumably have to be subject to declaration, verification, and dismantlement in any final and fully verifiable denuclearization deal. It is in the interests of the United States and its allies that any resumption of denuclearization or threat reduction negotiations need to take account of these missile delivery systems.
You can learn more about the nine undeclared North Korean missile operating bases that we have reported on so far below, or here.
- Sinpung-dong (신풍동) Ballistic Missile Operating Base (40.316252 125.276505)
- Yongnim (용림) Missile Operating Base (40.483324 126.501814)
- Hoejung-ni (회중리) Missile Operating Base (41.369883 126.913631)
- Kal-gol (갈골) Ballistic Missile Operating Base (38.674253 126.72770)
- Kumchon-ni (금천리) Missile Operating Base (38.964275 127.595143)
- Yusang-ni (유상리) Missile Operating Base (39.449886 126.259682)
- Sangnam-ni (상남리) Missile Operating Base (40.838977 128.541650)
- Sino-ri (신오리) Missile Operating Base (39.644929 125.355288)
- Sakkanmol (삭간몰) Missile Operating Base (38.584698 126.107945)
Sinpung-dong Missile Operating Base
Located approximately 27 kilometers from the China-North Korean border, the Sinpung-dong Missile Operating Base is an undeclared ballistic missile operating base in North Pyongan Province. Preliminary analysis suggests that the base likely houses a brigade-sized unit equipped with a total of 6-9 nuclear capable Hwasong-15 or -18 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), or an as yet unknown ICBM, and their transporter-erector-launchers (TEL) or mobile-erector-launchers (MEL).
Yongnim Missile Operating Base
Located 242 kilometers north of the demilitarized zone and only 65 kilometers from the Chinese border, the Yongnim Missile Operating Base is an undeclared ballistic missile operating base in Chagang Province. The Yongnim base likely houses a regiment or brigade-sized unit equipped with intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM) or intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
Hoejung-ni Missile Operating Base
Located 338-kilometers north of the demilitarized zone and only 25-kilometers from the Chinese border in Chagang Province, the Hoejung-ni missile operating base will, according to informed sources, likely house a regiment-sized unit equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
Kal-gol Missile Operating Base
Located approximately 52 kilometers north of the DMZ and 125 kilometers north of Seoul, the Kal-gol missile operating base is one of the most developed of North Korea’s approximately 15-20 undeclared ballistic missile facilities. This base likely houses a reinforced brigade-sized unit equipped with 500-kilometer-range Hwasong-6 (Scud C) short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) or Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER) medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM).
Kumchon-ni Missile Operating Base
Located 1,100 kilometers west of Tokyo and 165 kilometers northeast of Seoul the Kumchon-ni undeclared ballistic missile operating base houses a battalion- or regiment-sized unit equipped with Hwasong-9 (Scud-ER) medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM).
Yusang-ni Missile Operating Base
Located 150 kilometers north of the DMZ, the Yusang-ni missile operating base is an operational missile base that appears to house a unit of brigade-size or larger—likely with support units and is one of the more recently constructed Strategic Force missile operating bases. Yusang-ni has been reported to house either the Hwasong-13 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that has not yet been tested, or the Hwasong-14 (tested on July 4 and July 28, 2017) or Hwasong-15 ICBMs (tested on November 29, 2017), but these reports must be viewed cautiously as production status is unknown.
Sangnam-ni Missile Operating Base
Located 250 kilometers north of the DMZ, Sangnam-ni (상남리) missile operating base is an operational missile base that houses a battalion- or regiment-sized unit equipped with Hwasong-10 (Musudan) intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM). The deployment of the Hwasong-10, with 3000+ kilometer ranges, at Sangnam-ni is a component of North Korea’s presumed offensive ballistic missile strategy that provides a strategic-level first strike capability against targets located throughout East Asia as far as U.S. forces in Okinawa and Guam.
Sino-ri Missile Operating Base
Located 212 kilometers north of the DMZ, Sino-ri (신오리) is an operational missile base that houses a regiment-sized unit equipped with Nodong-1 medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM). It is one of the oldest of approximately 20 undeclared missile operating bases and is reported to serve as the headquarters of the Strategic Rocket Forces Nodong missile brigade. It may have also played a role in the development of the newest Pukkuksong-2 (KN-15) ballistic missile first tested or unveiled on February 12, 2017, shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration as president.
Sakkanmol Missile Operating Base
Located within the Tactical Belt in North Hwanghae province, 85 km north of the DMZ and 135 km northwest of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is the Sakkanmol missile operating base. Sakkanmol currently houses a unit equipped with SRBMs but could easily accommodate more capable medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs). The base is also one of the closest to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and Seoul, giving it the shortest flight time.