North Korea has recently expanded missile-related facilities on the coast of Anbyon County, near the east coast city of Wonsan, NK Pro, a U.S.-based specialist website on North Korea, reported on the 6th (local time).

The outlet explained that this expansion could be a sign that North Korea intends to conduct missile tests more regularly in the area or perform additional construction to develop it into a full-scale missile base.

Analyzing satellite imagery from Planet Labs, NK Pro found that a new building constructed at the southern end of the Sangum-ri beach in Anbyon County late last year had its length nearly doubled in an expansion carried out a few weeks ago.

In addition, a new road was built to improve direct access for large vehicles such as Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs).

NK Pro analyzed that the height of the building, presumed to be an inspection facility, appears sufficient to carry out launch preparation tasks such as mounting missiles onto TELs or testing erection mechanisms.

According to NK Pro, following the expansion of this building, short-range missiles were launched from the Anbyon coast on September 12 and 20, followed by an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on October 3.

The building was constructed on the site where one of the existing structures was demolished, and when it was first built late last year, it measured 40 meters long and 20 meters wide.


Short-range missiles were also launched from the Anbyon coast in May 2024 and May 2025, and leader Kim Jong-un guided military drills there in February 2020.

According to NK Pro's analysis of photos from North Korean state media, Kim Jong-un and his daughter, Ju-ae, watched the two recent test launches near this facility.

One photo released on the 4th showed them looking northward toward a missile TEL.

NK Pro explained that when the observation location and viewing direction were replicated on Google Earth, the mountains in the photo matched the topographical features near the facility.

In addition, a Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) photo capturing one of the tests conducted in September shows a circular building visible on the reflection of a TV screen they were watching, which NK Pro analyzed is likely part of a nearby building visible at this location in satellite imagery.

According to NK Pro, this circular building also underwent an expansion in September 2025 that doubled its size.

Planet Labs satellite imagery shows that new construction and paving work took place in the parking lot of this circular building for a week prior to the IRBM test launch on October 3.

In the KCNA photos, a multi-story mobile trailer appears to have been set up in front of the circular building, which NK Pro noted may have been used as a space for Kim Jong-un to wait or observe the launch.
 
(Photo: Korean Central News Agency, Yonhap News)