North Korea has started fixing up a launchpad at the country’s main space launch complex, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, in the latest sign of preparations to resume military spy satellite launches.

Planet Labs and Airbus imagery shows evidence that the surface of the coastal launchpad at the Sohae Satellite Launching Grounds was repaved starting between July 15 and 18.

Signs of digging to extend a security perimeter or utility line through the forest near the launchpad appeared as well since mid-June.

The new activity follows apparent rocket engine tests at the Sohae complex in May and in the first half of July.

The coastal launchpad was built rapidly starting in April 2023 and was initially paved just a day before it was first used for a launch, which ended in failure, on May 31 that year. 

It was used three more times over the following year under a new military reconnaissance satellite program that leader Kim Jong Un introduced in 2021, with only one successful launch in Nov. 2023.

The launchpad was last repaved and fixed up between June 18 and July 3, 2023, just weeks after the first failed rocket launch, according to NK Pro analysis of Planet Labs imagery. Similar repaving didn’t appear to take place after the Aug. 2023, Nov. 2023 and May 2024 launches.

The DPRK National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) is likely conducting renovations now to prepare for the first launch in over two years, but the timing remains uncertain.

State media has been largely silent on the status of North Korea’s military satellite program since the last failed launch, but Kim renewed his commitment to “further evolved reconnaissance satellites” at the Ninth Party Congress in February.

Kim’s proclamation at the congress did not include details like a timeframe for launches or how many satellites should be placed in orbit during the new five-year military plan.

Pyongyang is likely to notify the International Maritime Organization of rocket stage drop zones in the ocean ahead of the next launch, just like the previous four. The warning came just hours before the May 2024 launch.

Meanwhile, in another likely sign of preparations for an upcoming launch, construction of what appears to be a new VIP observation building that faces the launchpad has wrapped up in recent weeks.

Edited by Alannah Hill