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