A United States think-tank on Monday said it discovered North Korea’s “undeclared” missile operating base near its border with China, which is believed to house intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
“The Hoejung-ni missile operating base will, according to informed sources, likely house a regiment-sized unit equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs),” the report stated.
“Should operational ICBMs not become available in the near term, it is likely that intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) will be deployed,” it added.
CSIS claimed that the Hoejung-ni missile base was “one of approximately 20 ballistic missile operating bases that have never been declared by North Korea.” The name of the missile base comes from its proximity to the small town of Hoejung-ni.
“Although construction began almost 20 years ago, the Hoejung-ni missile operating base represents one of the latest Strategic Forces bases to be completed,” the report reads.
The missile operating base is active and well-maintained by North Korean standards, with ongoing minor infrastructure development, it added.
North Korea has continued to expand its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in the past year, according to experts, with cyberattacks serving as a key revenue source for Pyongyang in the face of international sanctions.
CSIS also noted that North Korea launched a Hwasong-12 IRBM from Chagang province on Jan. 30, where the Hoejung-ni base is located.
The Hwasong-12 launch was Pyongyang’s seventh this year, and it was seen as being a step closer to North Korea lifting its self-imposed moratorium on testing long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles, which it hasn’t tested since 2017.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry boasted Tuesday about the country’s missile arsenal, claiming that Pyongyang is the only country with missiles capable of “shaking the world” and hitting the United States.
“In today’s world where many countries waste time dealing with the United States with submission and blind obedience, there’s only our country on this planet that can shake the world by firing a missile with the U.S. mainland in its range,” the ministry said.
“There are more than 200 countries in the world, but only a few have hydrogen bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and hypersonic missiles.”
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday reiterated that it holds no hostile intent towards North Korea and urged a return to dialogue, a call Pyongyang has persistently ignored.
