Satellite imagery from Planet Labs has captured evidence of expanded facilities in North Korea dedicated to producing KN-23 ballistic missiles, which have been used in strikes against Ukraine.
This refers to the "February 11" plant, a facility within the North Korean Ryongsong Machine Complex located in Hamhung, the second-largest city in the DPRK. According to Reuters, this plant is currently believed to be the sole manufacturer of the KN-23 missiles.
Read more: North Korea Produces Only Metal for Its KN-23 Ballistic Missiles, but russia Uses Them for Terror
The report highlights that the North Korean regime has built a new complex of buildings for plant workers at the facility and constructed a structure resembling a new assembly center. Additionally, work has been undertaken to clear underground entrances to the production complex, which is predominantly located below ground.
From Defense Express, we would like to emphasize that the images and data provided are significant, as they may represent the first mention in Western media, during russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, of a North Korean missile production facility manufacturing weapons for strikes on Ukraine.
However, it is important to note that the available data do not clarify a critical aspect: whether the "February 11" plant is receiving components from other facilities within North Korea or if all necessary elements for producing KN-23 missiles are being supplied directly from russia. In this case, the North Korean defense industry might simply act as an "outsourcer."
In this context, it is relevant to recall a report from July 2024, which stated that russia had provided North Korea with materials and documentation for the production of KN-23 missiles to be used in strikes against Ukraine.
Additionally, in September of this year, North Korea tested a version of the KN-23 with a 4.5-ton warhead. In a separate article, we analyzed whether this modification was specifically developed for use against Ukraine.
Read more: North Korea Experimented With Train-Launched KN-23 Missile in 2021, Can russia Try the Same in Ukraine?
