North Korea has started new construction at the Samjiyon Airport near Mount Paektu on the remote northern border with China, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, a year after leader Kim Jong Un ordered the project as part of preparations to welcome “friendly” foreign tourists. 

Planet Labs imagery shows rapid work in the second half of May to start carving out a new rail line to the airport and construct a large new building to the south of the runway.

The construction comes as Kim announced a “new era” in tourism at the opening of a giant beach resort on the east coast this week, though it remains unclear when he will begin allowing Western and Chinese tour groups into the country again.

As of June 24, foundations for a 65,000 square foot (6,000 square meter) building were visible and work was underway on what appears to be rail station infrastructure adjacent to it. 

The 3.7-mile (6-km) rail line path leading from Lake Samjiyon Shore Railway Station to the southeast has not yet been fully cleared.

During a visit to Samjiyon in July 2024, Kim called for “remodeling Samjiyon Airport and building a tourist railway [while] effectively developing and making use of tourist resources of Samjiyon City.”

The new building is positioned halfway along the airport runway along the apparent new rail line. It could serve as a new airport terminal, the airport’s primary rail station, or both.

The airport currently features only a small reception building at the west end of the runway.

According to the latest imagery, major construction has yet to begin on runway upgrades or expansion. An old fighter plane apron at the east end of the runway has seen fresh but minor construction activity in recent weeks.

The airport belonged to air force Unit 991 in the past, but some air force buildings near the runway were demolished in late 2017 and fighter jets have not appeared on the runway in available Google Earth high-resolution imagery since around when Kim visited in Nov. 2014.

Recent construction comes after a separate rail line was built in 2021 terminating at a small and possibly unfinished railway station nearby to the south. The purpose of building two parallel rail lines and stations so close together is unclear. 

A large construction project also started at the end of last year on a new ski resort just to the south of the airport at Mount Pukphothae. 

Kim said in his July 2024 visit that the ski resort should be completed within two years. He emphasized the importance of catering to “friendly” foreign tourists through various construction projects in and around Samjiyon.

Chinese tourists will be a primary target due to China’s proximity, and the country’s ambassador to Pyongyang recently visited the area while calling for the resumption of tourism that has been halted since the pandemic. 

Some tour groups could take buses down a road and through a large new customs gate China is currently building on the land border to the north of the airport. North Korean workers have also been working on a new road toward this border crossing since May.

However, Kim Jong Un likely sees airport remodeling as necessary for most potential visitors from the region given its remote location and the effects of heavy snowfall on the roads over long winters.

North Korea regards Mount Paektu as the birthplace of former leader Kim Jong Il, despite historical evidence to the contrary, and state propaganda holds it up as one of the holiest places in the Kim family leadership cult, encouraging citizens to make pilgrimages to the site even in brutal winter conditions.

Edited by Bryan Betts