North Korea Concealed a New Facility at a Ballistic Missile Plant

North Korea built a facility at its main plant for the production of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) and then covered it with earth.

This is reported in an investigation by the NK Pro think tank.

The facility in question is Plant No. 11 in Hamhung. It manufactures Hwasong-11 (KN-23) SRBMs, which Russia has used to strike Ukraine since late 2023.

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs showing the facility indicates that the building, measuring 65 by 35 meters and two or three stories high, was constructed between late 2024 and February 2026.

Between March and May of this year, the building was covered with earth and integrated into the adjacent mountainside.

Photos from Kim’s visits indicate that the existing missile production lines are located in underground tunnels, which protect the equipment from bombing.

The assembly and testing of finished components take place in above-ground buildings.

Some buildings in the complex are also surrounded by embankments of compacted soil, which prevent the effects of explosions caused by manufacturing defects from spreading to surrounding facilities.

In recent years, North Korea has conducted similar construction at another facility known as Hagap, which is linked to the country’s nuclear program.

Last August, North Koreans began constructing a large building at least 330 meters long and 50 meters wide, but it appears the project was abandoned around November. Three existing buildings were demolished to make way for the construction.

Its possible completion could indicate plans to increase missile production for use in the war against Ukraine and to replenish its own stockpiles, taking exports into account.

On July 25, it was reported that Russia wants to recruit another 30,000 North Korean troops and acquire additional ballistic missiles.