Kim Jong-un Lights Another Fire? Satellite Images Show 'Unusual' Activity In North Korean Shipyard

Amid reports of discrepancies over Kim Jong-un's missile tests, satellite images from a shipyard in the North Korean city of Sinpo show an "unusual movement" of an experimental ballistic missile submarine. According to a US-based think tank, these images indicate a possible submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the future.

The images, eight of them, were collected from Feb. 16 through March 27.

A report by Beyond Parallel, under the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said images collected on March 22 "showed an unusual movement of the 8.24 Yongung experimental ballistic missile submarine (SSBA) within the secure boat basin."

The submarine was seen being moved out from under a canopy that usually covers it. While the exact reason why the submarine was moved is unclear, researchers believe it is likely connected to the repair works being undertaken for an upcoming submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test.

The submarine assumes significance because it plays an important role in the development of SLBMs, ballistic missile submarine technology, and operational procedures. "It is also an indispensable tool for the hands-on training of new submariners," the report added.

The earlier images (Feb. 24) show the secure boat basin unmoved, the submarine under the canopy, and the submersible missile test stand berthed along the south pier. The infiltration mothership is seen alongside the dock.

North Korea's last successful test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile was in October 2021. However, 8.24 Yongung suffered a malfunction resulting in damage during the test. It first underwent repair and maintenance work within the secure boat basin between October and November 2021. Further repairs were made within the Sinpo shipyard’s graving dock in early December.

This comes amid reports that North Korea had faked last week's launch of its Hwasong-17 missile, which analysts call a "monster missile." According to the South Korean military, the test was the same intercontinental ballistic missile Pyongyang fired in 2017. "The U.S. and South Korean intelligence has determined that what was fired on March 24 was a Hwasong-15," the defense ministry official told AFP.

The report added that the false test was a bid by Kim Jong-un to compensate for the failed launch of Hwasong-17 on March 16. The missile had exploded shortly after launch with debris from the failed test falling over Pyongyang.

There were also reports that North Korea may be repairing underground tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site that Pyongyang purportedly dismantled in 2018, hinting at an upcoming resumption of its nuclear tests.