Satellite images have shown a large industrial complex in North Korea which could possibly be a part of the country’s military drone program expansion.

According to a US-based outlet, the satellite images showed a newly constructed facility in the country.

In a report published on Wednesday, 38 North said satellite images obtained from Planet Labs showed the construction of new buildings in the Kusong region of the North Pyongan province.

The region has long been known to be a place of military aircraft development and maintenance in North Korea.

However, the region has in recent times become a center of drone development.

Satellite images showed that three factory buildings and facilities were constructed at a manufacturing facility located east of the Kusong Airfield.

The region is believed to be the location of military drones such as the Saetbyol-4 and the Saetbyol-9.

North Korea refers to the facility as a “machine factory operated by Comrade Jon Tong-ryol,” which is a common way of referring to military facilities in the country.

In August 2014, the North Korean leader visited the facility and directed the officials to build “cutting-edge machinery” and produce light aircraft. He later directed the officials to conduct a test flight of an aircraft at the facility in 2015.

According to the report, some of the existing buildings were demolished in 2024 to make way for larger buildings. One of the newly built buildings is about 225 meters long and is connected to two other buildings using covered corridors.

However, according to an assessment done by 38 North, the newly built production facility is unlikely to have been built to produce light aircraft. Instead, the facility is more likely to have been built to produce military equipment.

Considering that the North Korean government is still focused on developing unmanned aerial equipment, the expansion of the facility is likely to have been done to increase the production capacity of drones.

Additionally, satellite images revealed the development of a second large industrial facility located 2 kilometers east of the main manufacturing facility. The new complex has been estimated to contain a minimum of three structures, each measuring 125 meters, although its use remains a mystery.

According to 38 North, the size and location of the development justify its monitoring.