North Korea’s Fake Golf Course May Be a Cover for Long-Range Nuclear Missiles Launch Site

North Korea has allegedly transformed a former luxury residence into a concealed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch site—masquerading as a golf course, according to a report from The Telegraph on March 11.

The site was previously home to Kim Jong-un’s Winter Palace, also known as the Ryokpo residence, located in a secluded valley about 20 miles southeast of Pyongyang.

However, in the past year, the palace was demolished and replaced with newly built structures, roads, and what appear to be golf greens.

A closer analysis using near-infrared satellite images revealed that the “greens” were actually reinforced with concrete bases as early as June, with a thin layer of soil added in August. By November, the area had begun to resemble a functional golf course.

However, analysts from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute believe the site is designed for missile operations rather than leisure.

They point to the presence of unusually large roads—wide enough to transport the massive Hwasong-19 ICBMs—as well as buildings that do not typically belong at a golf course.

One newly constructed four-story building, estimated to be 118 feet high, appears large enough to house missiles in an upright position.

“While this facility could be used for shorter-range systems like the Hwasong-11/KN-23/KN-24 series of missiles, the height of the high-bay building suggests it is also built to allow longer-range systems to operate from it,” said Sam Lair, a researcher from the analysis team.

“You would not need a 36-meter [118ft] high building for just short-range systems,” he added.

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Behind this structure, another building has been covered in earth, likely for additional protection and concealment. Experts believe it could house up to four mobile missile launchers.

The revelation comes as North Korea escalates its missile testing. On Monday, Pyongyang launched a volley of ballistic missiles into waters off its west coast—timed to coincide with the start of Freedom Shield, a large-scale joint military exercise between the US and South Korea.

The 11-day drill has put South Korean forces in a “full readiness posture,” according to a statement from the country’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, which also confirmed close coordination with US forces.

Earlier, reports emerged that North Korea was close to completing its first airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, based on an Il-76 airframe.

Recent satellite images taken on March 3, 2025, show that the modified Il-76, previously observed undergoing conversion, is now equipped with a mounted radar system.

“The radar design features markings distinct from those used by US or Russian aircraft but closely resembling those seen on Chinese AEW&C planes,” the 38 North noted.

These markings typically indicate a three-array phased radar system providing a 120-degree field of view, allowing real-time airspace monitoring without the need for rotation.