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Sangnam-ri Missile Base

Other Name: 상남리 미사일 기지, Sangnam-ri Underground Missile Base, Sangnam-ri Nodong Missile Base, Sangnam-ri Taepodong Base
Location: Sangnam-ri (상남리), Hŏch'ŏn-kun (호천군), South Hamgyŏng Province (함경남도), North Korea Primary Function: Deployment and launch of missiles, possibly Nodong and/or Taepodong Subordinate to: Missile Division (미사일 사단), Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (인민무력성), National Defense Commission (국방위원회)
Size: Unknown
Facility Status: Unknown

According to South Korean military and government officials, North Korea began construction of the Sangam-ri missile base in 1994, with the actual construction of its underground tunnels starting in early 1999. Reports indicate that 60-80% of base construction had been completed as of March 2000. Considering the location and the timing of the construction at Sangnam-ri, North Korea will likely deploy Nodong and/or Taepodong [Paektusan-1] missiles at the site.

Sources:
[1] Kim Do Hyŏng, "Puk Missile Palsajunbi Soktonŭtch'wŏ," Hankyoreh Shinmun, 8 July 1999, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[2] Han Kyŏng Hun, "Pukhan Missile Ŏdie Sumgyŏ Twŏnna/Chung Chŏpkyŏngjiyŏk Tŭng 10 Kos'e Palsagiji," Segye Ilbo, 7 August 1999, p. 5, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[3] Yu Yong Wŏn, "Nodong 1 Ho Missile Puk, 100 Yŏbal Paech'i/Mi, Shimgakhan Uryŏ P'yomyŏng," Chosun Ilbo, 2 March 2001, p. 1, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[4] Yu Yong Wŏn, "Puk, Hubang Chihagiji 3 Kot Kŏnsŏltŭng Pimilchŭnggang Kyesok," Chosun Ilbo, 2 March 2001, www.chosun.com;
[5] Kim Min Sŏk, "Puk Missile Kiji Kyesok Chŭngsŏl," Joongang Ilbo, 6 March 2001, www.joins.com;
[6] "Puk Missile Chŭnggangbaech'i Chinghu Ŏpda," Chosun Ilbo, 2 March 2001, www.chosun.com.

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This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, or agents. Copyright © 2011 by MIIS.

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