North Korea built new missile launch-related facilities on the east coast ahead of recent test launches attended by Kim Jong Un and his young daughter, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery.

The missile facility is located on a beach in Sangum-ri (상음리) of Anbyon County, just south of the Kangwon Province capital of Wonsan and north of another coastal military base where a large construction project recently started.

The recent upgrades may portend more regular missile testing from this location, or further work to establish it as a proper missile base.

Short-range missiles were launched from the Anbyon beach in May 2024, May 2025 and recently on Sept. 12 and 20, and an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launch took place there on Oct. 3. Kim also oversaw military drills on the beach in Feb. 2020.

Planet Labs satellite imagery shows that a large building measuring around 130 by 65 feet (40 by 20 meters) was built on the south end of the beach late last year, following the demolition of existing structures. 

In the weeks immediately before the three recent tests, an extension was added to almost double the building’s length, and a new road was built to improve direct access for large vehicles like missile transporter erector launchers (TELs). 

The building appears tall enough to facilitate preparation work for missile launches, like loading missiles onto TELs and testing erector mechanisms. 

Kim and his daughter viewed the two most recent tests from nearby this facility, according to NK Pro analysis of state media photos. One photo published on Sunday shows the Kims as they face north toward the missile TEL, with mountains and geographical features matching those seen when simulating the location and direction of view in Google Earth.

Another Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) photo from one of last month’s tests shows a circular building in the reflection of a TV screen Kim and his daughter were viewing, likely part of a building visible in this location in satellite imagery.

An extension was also built on this building to double its size in September last year, while Planet Labs imagery showed new construction and paving of its parking lot in the week before the Oct. 3 test. A multi-story portable trailer appeared to be set up in the KCNA photos in front of the building to serve as a lounge and observation area for the leader.

Kim Jong Un has spent considerable resources building up other missile launch facilities seemingly purpose-built for test launches.

One was built at the Pyongyang International Airport in 2019, complete with large TEL check-out facilities as well as a new railway bridge and extended line linked to the site. It was used during intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches in 2022 and continues to be maintained, but while Kim has overseen missile tests from the airport runways in recent years, it’s unclear if the facility is still being used.

Kim also built several missile launchpad areas around the Jindallae Guesthouse compound in eastern Pyongyang starting in 2024 and has used the site for tests at least eight times.

Additionally, North Korea continues to conduct missile tests from highways and other beaches, often near Kim’s various mansion compounds around the country.

Meanwhile, it’s possible that the DPRK military is planning to conduct artillery drills in Anbyon or another beach in the area, as NK Pro has found new infrastructure and possible targets were built rapidly on an uninhabited island off the coast of Wonsan in the last week.

Edited by Bryan Betts