North Korea Expands Missile Production Amid Allegations of Supporting Russia’s War Effort

North Korea is significantly expanding a key weapons manufacturing complex that produces short-range ballistic missiles, according to satellite imagery analyzed by researchers at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). The facility, known as the February 11 Plant, is part of the Ryongsong Machine Complex located in Hamhung, the country’s second-largest city on its east coast.

The plant is reportedly the sole producer of the Hwasong-11 class of solid-fuel ballistic missiles, referred to as the KN-23 in Western military designations. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of employing these missiles in its war against Ukraine, which began with the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

New Construction Signals Increased Production

Recent satellite images from October, provided by Planet Labs, show the construction of an additional assembly building and a housing facility for workers, as well as improvements to underground facility entrances. Notably, a disused bridge crane obstructing a tunnel entrance has been removed, suggesting heightened operational focus on specific sections of the complex, according to Sam Lair, a CNS research associate.

“This expansion suggests North Korea is attempting to significantly increase the production capacity of this factory,” Lair explained. The new assembly building is approximately 60–70% the size of the existing missile assembly facility.

Publicly released state media imagery from 2023 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting new buildings at the complex, where workers appeared to be assembling components for the KN-23, including tail kits and nose cones. Historical footage indicates that the facility has also produced tank components and rocket motor casings.

Strategic Importance of the KN-23

First tested in May 2019, the KN-23 is designed to evade missile defenses through a low, “depressed” trajectory, making it a potentially valuable weapon for Russia in penetrating Ukraine’s air defenses. Analysts suggest North Korea’s supply of such munitions could alleviate pressure on Russia’s domestic missile production.

North Korean state media, through the KCNA, confirmed ongoing modernization efforts at the Ryongsong Machine Complex, which include the reconstruction of production facilities and the installation of advanced equipment.

Regional and Global Implications

The suspected transfer of missiles and military support from North Korea to Russia has raised concerns in Washington and Seoul, as it appears to undermine long-standing United Nations Security Council agreements aimed at curbing Pyongyang’s ballistic missile program.

Michael Duitsman, another CNS researcher, noted that while the new construction could serve as a storage facility, it is more likely intended to enhance assembly capabilities. Further analysis from SI Analytics, a South Korean AI-based satellite imagery firm, confirmed rapid construction at the site. The firm also identified activity at the nearby February 8 Vinalon Complex, which is believed to produce solid propellants and UDMH, a key liquid rocket fuel.

North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation

Russia and North Korea have recently deepened their military ties, formalized in a mutual defense treaty signed in June 2023. Reports indicate that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, some participating in combat operations in Ukraine. While Moscow denies transferring North Korean weapons for use in the war, the presence of these troops and the alleged use of KN-23 missiles have sparked international concern.

Military analyst Joseph Dempsey of the International Institute for Strategic Studies suggested that North Korea’s expansion of missile facilities primarily aims to bolster its own arsenal but may also support its growing partnership with Moscow.

The developments signal a significant shift in regional security dynamics, as North Korea’s increased production capabilities and collaboration with Russia pose challenges to international efforts to contain its missile program.