Secret North Korea base identified near China

A CSIS report identifies the Sinpung-dong base close to the Chinese border as a likely site for new long-range missiles.

North Korea builds secret missile base near China raising regional risk

A new CSIS study identifiesSinpung-dong, an undeclared missile operating base in North Korea’s North Pyongan province, about 27km from the Chinese frontier. The research suggests the facility may house six to nine nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles and their launchers, pointing to a hidden capability that has not been part of denuclearisation talks to date.

The report places Sinpung-dong among an estimated 15 to 20 ballistic missile bases and storage facilities North Korea has not publicly declared. Analysts say the site could enable rapid launches and direct linkups with special units, potentially enabling harder-to-detect strikes from other parts of the country. Taken with existing bases, the facility is described as part of an evolving strategy to expand North Korea’s nuclear deterrence and strike options while continuing to operate outside formal negotiation channels.

The finding widens the view of North Korea’s weapons landscape and how close some assets sit to regional borders. Open-source intelligence is playing a bigger role in assessing security risks, pushing policymakers to weigh facts from private researchers alongside official channels. The proximity to China adds a new layer to regional calculations and could influence Beijing’s patience, posture, and pressure points.

For diplomacy, the report underscores the difficulty of verification when crucial sites remain undeclared. It raises questions about crisis management, alliance planning, and sanctions enforcement as Pyongyang’s capabilities appear to be expanding beyond previously acknowledged bounds. In this tense moment, patient, verifiable diplomacy and credible deterrence seem more essential than ever.

Highlights

As facts on the ground evolve, so too must strategy and diplomacy.