North Korea has started a new construction project at the Rajin Shipyard in the northeast city of Rason, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, following leader Kim Jong Un’s call to build larger and more capable warships.

Planet Labs and Maxar imagery shows a likely construction worker camp was built at the shipyard in the first half of July, but additional signs like demolition work and foundations for new buildings have yet to appear.

The establishment of worker camps is typically a sign of plans to build significant new facilities rather than basic remodeling, since some buildings were reroofed and the drydock was fixed up over the last year without the help of on-site worker lodgings.

During a launch ceremony on the west coast last month for the country’s 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer, Kim Jong Un said that shipyards must produce two, much larger, 10,000-ton cruisers annually for the next five years. It remains unclear if his previous orders to build more destroyers each year is still in effect as well.

Pyongyang has not revealed more about the cruiser development plans, but state media has reported that the destroyers boast a range of modern offensive and defensive systems, including nuclear-capable cruise missiles.

The Rajin Shipyard could lend much needed help to Kim’s navy revival project, as the Chongjin Shipyard down the coast experienced considerable problems in building the Kang Kon destroyer, the sister ship to the Choe Hyon. 

The Kang Kon partially capsized in a failed launch at Chongjin last year, before being recovered and towed to the Rajin Shipyard for repairs and a successful launch ceremony. 

Kim Jong Un demanded severe punishment for the Chongjin Shipyard’s top employees, but the destroyer nonetheless returned for further development until leaving in early June to begin sea trials.

Construction on large new facilities also started at the Chongjin Shipyard in January, and Planet Labs imagery this month shows new activity in the outdoor spot where the Kang Kon was built.

However, work on the apparent new facilities has appeared to stall since April and it’s unclear if these developments are related to building new warships.

Rason has become an important second home of the Kang Kon destroyer as well, indicating its importance to Kim’s naval plans.

The latest imagery shows the Kang Kon recently returned to Rason Port near the shipyard as of Thursday, following a missile-launch exercise down the coast in early July and ahead of its scheduled commissioning to the East Sea Fleet sometime in “the middle” of this year, according to state media.

Its recent travel away from Chongjin started early June, when it sailed south to the Mayang Island naval base near Sinpho for a navigation test led by Kim, up to Rason, back to Mayang for the missile test and Rason again.

Its purpose in Rason is unclear as it has simply appeared docked at the northern pier in recent weeks. It may enter the dry dock at the shipyard for repairs or changes ahead of its official deployment.

Kim Jong Un also said last month that the country lacks a single naval base that is prepared to permanently host the new destroyers or larger ships, which could explain its presence at the Rason cargo port pier. 

The Choe Hyon on the west coast has similarly remained docked at a civilian cargo port for weeks after it was officially deployed and state propaganda suggested it was sailing away to a military facility.

Meanwhile, at the Nampho Shipyard on the west coast where the Choe Hyon was built, workers have appeared to clear land in July in what may be preparations for construction of new facilities.

Edited by David Choi