NORTH KOREA — NBC reports that researchers from a Washington based think-tank have discovered a secret missile base in North Korea — one of more than a dozen undisclosed sites in the Hermit Kingdom.<br /><br />North Korea's Sino-ri Missile Base is a seven square mile complex located 132 miles north of the DMZ.<br /><br />According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the base has played a key role in developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching South Korea, Japan, and Guam.<br /><br />Sino-ri is one of about 20 undisclosed sites used to develop the country's ballistic missile program. It houses a regiment sized unit equipped with Nodong-1 medium range ballistic missiles.<br /><br />Satellite photos from December 2018 identifies entrances to an underground bunker or facility, hardened shelters, a headquarters area, and a communication facility among others.<br /><br />The base is supported by two nearby facilities. Sobaek-su Academy is a ballistic missile school for Strategic Rocket Forces personnel that also conducts research on "ballistic missile design and operation.<br /><br />The Myodu-san training area is believed to be the primary field training facility for both the missile base and the academy.<br /><br />CSIS previously identified 13 of the 20 undeclared missile operating sites last November.<br />One site, the Sakkanmol missile base, reportedly had barracks and underground facilities to house transporter-erector-launches or mobile-erector-launchers.<br /><br />Reuters reports that the discovery comes just days after Trump announced he looks forward to discussing denuclearization with Kim Jong Un at a second summit in late February.<br /><br />According to CSIS, North Korean missile bases would be subject to declaration, verification, and dismantlement in any denuclearization deal. But since Sino-ri and the 19 other bases have never been declared by North Korea, they "do not appear to be the subject of denuclearization negotiations."<br /><br />Victor Cha, one of the report's authors, says it looks like North Korea is playing a game. Even if they destroy their disclosed nuclear facilities, they will still have operational capability.
