Satellite imagery analysis has confirmed that North Korea has resumed and expanded construction at a critical missile factory. The project, which focuses on upgrading the Thaesong Machine Factory near Pyongyang, is a part of Kim Jong Un’s ongoing efforts to meet his five-year weapons development goals.
Construction at the Thaesong factory began last July, with significant work on the facility believed to be involved in long-range missile engine production. However, construction stalled briefly between early December and mid-March of this year. New satellite images from Planet Labs show that work has restarted, beginning in the second week of March.
The expansion involves the construction of new buildings outside the entrances to the factory’s underground facilities. Additionally, another cluster of buildings has appeared nearby, signaling an expanded scope for the project. These developments indicate that the North Korean government is pushing forward with its military infrastructure plans, despite earlier pauses in construction.
One significant change between March 23 and 28 was the demolition of an existing production building at the main site. This likely made way for more modernized facilities that could accommodate advanced technology. The new buildings are located next to a large production hall that underwent rebuilding around a year ago.
The precise purpose of the new construction remains unclear. North Korea’s state media rarely reports on developments at military sites unless a major event, such as a visit by Kim Jong Un, occurs. Previous analyses of the Thaesong Machine Factory suggest that the western complex housed liquid-fuel engine production lines for long-range missiles or satellite launch vehicles in the past. Given this, it is possible that the new construction relates to either an upgrade of the missile engine production facilities or to a new weapons-related project.
North Korea has a long history of focusing on missile and rocket engine production at the Thaesong factory. The eastern complex has been more commonly featured in state media, particularly for its role in the final assembly of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Meanwhile, the western complex has been linked to missile engine production, especially liquid-fuel engines.
In January 2023, Kim Jong Un made a rare public appearance at the Thaesong factory, where he was photographed with his daughter among rows of intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs). While the factory’s eastern complex has been used for assembling ICBMs, evidence suggests the western complex was primarily focused on rocket engine production. The latest construction activities may represent an expansion of this focus or even a shift toward new technology.
North Korea’s ongoing efforts to enhance its missile capabilities coincide with its stated goals for military reconnaissance satellites. One of the aims of the current construction could be related to a new liquid-fuel engine for these satellites. However, since the country has not updated the public on this program since last summer, it’s unclear whether the pause in construction was due to reassessments of the rocket engine production goals following the failure of a satellite launch in May.
It is also possible that the project will see a shift in the type of production at the western complex, with new facilities dedicated to different military technologies. Whatever the specific focus, the factory’s history strongly suggests that the new expansion is weapons-related.
In addition to the developments at Thaesong, North Korea has been expanding its uranium enrichment capabilities. A uranium facility known as Kangson, located near Thaesong, was upgraded last year. This expansion aligns with Kim Jong Un’s goal to “exponentially” increase the country’s nuclear warhead production.
North Korea has also been making strides in its solid-fuel missile technology. The most recent ICBM test took place last October, showcasing the new Hwasong-19 solid-fuel missile. The country has focused heavily on solid-fuel missile development in recent years, while refraining from testing any liquid-fuel missiles for over two years. Despite the absence of liquid-fuel missiles at the major weapons expo in November, images from Kim Jong Un’s visit to missile bases in October suggested that some liquid-fuel missiles are still part of the military’s arsenal.
As North Korea continues to advance its missile production capabilities, the Thaesong Machine Factory remains a critical site for the country’s weapon development. Its ongoing expansion indicates that Pyongyang is committed to enhancing its missile and rocket engine production as part of its broader military objectives.
