A newly uncovered missile base in North Korea has raised global alarm. Located just 27 kilometers from the Chinese border in North Pyongan Province, the site is believed to house six to nine nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missiles stored on mobile launchers. The facility is equipped with barracks, storage buildings, and support infrastructure across an area roughly the size of a major international airport.
Construction of the base began in the early 2000s, and it is now fully operational. Analysts note that the absence of fixed launchpads suggests North Korea is relying on mobile solid fuel systems, allowing for faster deployment and making it harder for opponents to detect or intercept. This mobility significantly increases the strategic challenge for any preemptive strike.
The discovery adds to the estimated 15 to 20 secret missile bases across North Korea, forming a hidden network designed to preserve the regime’s launch capability even under attack. Positioning this new facility so close to China gives it an additional layer of security, complicating any military response from outside powers.
The base highlights Pyongyang’s growing nuclear confidence and signals a shift toward a more entrenched strategic posture. For regional and global security, it is another reminder that North Korea’s arsenal continues to expand in both sophistication and reach.