Location: Chiha-ri (支下里), P'an'gyo-kun (板橋郡), Kangwŏn Province (江原道), North Korea

Subordinate to: Missile Division (미사일 師團), Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (人民武力省), National Defense Commission (國防委員會)

Primary Function: Technical support and launch site for Hwasŏng-5/6 missiles; deployment and launch of Paektusan-1 missiles

Description: The Chiha-ri base functions both as a Scud missile brigade support base and as a launch facility. As a technical support base, Chiha-ris function is to maintain, repair and refurbish operational missiles. The engineers and technicians here likely perform duties similar to those of personnel at Iraqs Taji facility. A launch site has a different function, but it is conceivable that support and launch functions are both located at Chiha-ri.

In June 1990, US satellite imagery reportedly revealed the construction of two missile launch sites near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Although the locations were not revealed, they were probably Chiha-ri and Sariwŏn. There is another missile base near the DMZ at Shin'gye-kun, but Scuds were reportedly deployed to Shin'gye-kun in 1988. Therefore, Shin'gye-kun is excluded as a possibility for the June 1990 imagery. The two launch sites were believed to be for Hwasŏng-5 (Scud-B) missiles in the early 1990s.

In November 1998, North Korea was reportedly building a launch facility for the Paektusan-1 at Chiha-ri, but it is not clear if this is a replacement for, or an addition to, the Hwasŏng launch site. Therefore, Chiha-ri may be capable of launching Hwasŏngs, Nodongs, and the Paektusan-1.

	Updated April 2003

Key Sources:
Dana Priest and Thomas W. Lippman, "N. Korea Expanding Missile Programs," Washington Post, 20 November 1998, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Bill Gertz; "North Korea Builds 2 Missile Launch Sites," Washington Times, 14 June 1990, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Lee Jun, "Pukhan Missile Kiji Tugot Kŏnsŏlchung'indŭt/Il Pangwich'ŏng, Yong'ŏdong Chihari Chimok," Chosun Ilbo, 24 December 1998, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Yun Sang Sam, "Puk Yong'ŏdongchihari'e Missile Kiji Kŏnsŏlchung," Donga Ilbo, 24 December 1998, p. 10, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; "N. Korea May Have deployed Rodong-1," Daily Yomiuri, 3 January 1999, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Hwang Yŏng Shik, "[Pukhan Taepodong Missile] 'Sae Chihabalsagiji Kŏnsŏl Kanŭngsŏng'," Hankook Ilbo, 4 January 1999, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; "Puk, Changgŏri'p'o Chŏnbangjiyŏk Chŭnggangbaech'i/Kukpangbu," Taehan Maeil, 25 June 1993, p. 3, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >.