US-based North Korea specialist media NK News reported that maintenance work has been detected on the launch pad at the West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Tongchang-ri, Cholsan-gun, North Pyongan Province.

According to imagery captured by commercial satellite companies such as Planet Labs and Airbus, traces of repaving on the surface of the coastal launch pad at the West Sea Satellite Launching Station were found between the 15th and 18th.

Since the middle of last month, excavation work appears to have been carried out across the forest near the launch pad to expand safety or power lines.

NK News analyzed that this is the latest sign showing that preparations are underway for North Korea to resume the launch of a reconnaissance satellite.

North Korea has attempted to launch military reconnaissance satellites a total of four times since 2023.

The first and second attempts failed, while the third attempt in November 2023 succeeded, with North Korea claiming to have placed the Malligyong-1 into orbit.

The fourth launch in May 2024 failed after the first-stage projectile exploded in mid-air, and no satellite launches have been conducted since then.

NK News reported that the Tongchang-ri launch pad last underwent repaving and repair work between June and July 2023, following North Korea's first failed reconnaissance satellite launch, and no launch pad maintenance work has been carried out since then.

North Korea has renewed its commitment to launching reconnaissance satellites, introducing at the 9th Workers' Party Congress last February that its five-year plan tasks include an intercontinental ballistic missile complex, an artificial intelligence unmanned strike complex, special assets to attack enemy satellites in case of emergency, and advanced reconnaissance satellites.

(Photo: Yonhap News)