A North Korean airfield in Uiju, North Pyongan Province, previously used as a cargo quarantine facility during the COVID-19 pandemic, appears to have been restored to its original military function.
On October 8, U.S.-based North Korea monitoring website 38 North reported that satellite imagery captured by commercial service Planet Labs on October 4 revealed over 30 Ilyushin (IL)-28 medium-range bombers stationed at the airfield’s apron.
The images show five aircraft positioned along the southeastern perimeter, 16 along the northeastern perimeter, and nine near the far eastern boundary of the airfield.
“Commercial satellite imagery shows the return of 31 Ilyushin IL-28 medium-range bombers to the base, ending a three-and-a-half-year absence while the airfield served as a quarantine center for incoming goods from China,” the think tank wrote in a report.
According to the report, the conversion of the airfield into a quarantine center began in March 2021, approximately a year after North Korea closed its borders to all travelers and most cargo. Quarantine center operation started in December 2021 and continued into early 2024.
However, by April this year, the number of containers had decreased significantly. By August, all had been removed, and the restoration of the airfield had begun.
Also in early 2024, quarantine warehouses were periodically dismantled. On September 22, the paint marking began on the runway while work to restore other areas of the airfield continued in anticipation of the regiment’s return.
BY JAESUNG BAE, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
