A shadowy military complex hidden in North Korea's remote mountains is believed to be housing long-range missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads to America's mainland, defence analysts have warned.
The secret base, located in Yokjon-dong near the Chinese border, represents one of Pyongyang's most significant strategic assets according to a detailed report from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. Satellite imagery analysis suggests the facility is actively maintained and likely operational.
The Hidden Threat
Unlike North Korea's well-known missile test sites, this concealed installation appears designed for both storage and potential deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Experts note its strategic positioning in mountainous terrain provides natural protection against pre-emptive strikes.
'This isn't a test facility—it's a operational base meant to safeguard Kim Jong-un's most powerful weapons,' explained Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, a leading nonproliferation expert involved in the research.
Strategic Implications
The discovery raises alarming questions about the true extent of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. The regime's Hwasong-17 ICBMs, theoretically capable of reaching any point in the United States, could be housed at such facilities.
Military strategists are particularly concerned about how these hidden bases complicate defence planning and verification efforts. The Yongjo-dong site is just one of approximately twenty similar undeclared facilities scattered throughout North Korea.
International Response
The revelation comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang has recently conducted numerous missile tests in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, while continuing to expand its nuclear arsenal.
Defence officials in Washington and London are monitoring the situation closely, though neither government has yet issued an official statement regarding the specific facility. The findings will likely prompt urgent discussions within NATO and among Pacific allies about enhancing missile defence systems.
As North Korea continues to conceal its most dangerous weapons, the challenge of deterring the rogue state becomes increasingly complex for Western powers.
