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Sangnam-ri Missile Base

  • Location
    Sangnam-ri (상남리), Hŏch'ŏn-kun (호천군), South Hamgyŏng Province (함경남도), North KoreaPrimary Function: Deployment and launch of missiles, possibly Nodong and/or TaepodongSubordinate to: Missile Division (미사일 사단), Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (인민무력성), National Defense Commission (국방위원회)
  • Type
    Missile-Base
  • Facility Status
    Unknown

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About

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. According to Jaganath Sankaran, Nodong (1 and 2) and Paektsusan-1 missiles have been deployed at Sangnam-ri missile base.

Glossary

Deployment
The positioning of military forces – conventional and/or nuclear – in conjunction with military planning.

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.
[7] Jaganath Sankaran. “Missile Defenses and Strategic Stability in Asia: Evidence From Simulations,” Journal of East Asian Studies, Vol. 20, No. 3 (2020): 485–508.

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