"North Korea expands ballistic missile manufacturing plant"...North Korea-Russia cooperation continues to strengthen

[Anchor]
While North Korea is known to provide short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, an analysis suggests that a key military factory in North Korea that manufactures the missiles is undergoing expansion work.

In addition, North Korea-Russia cooperation seems to be accelerating, with railway checkpoints linking North Korea and Russia operating in earnest and signing next year's sports exchange protocol.

Reporter Kim Ji-young reports.

[Reporter]
This is a satellite image of the "February 11th Factory" in Hamheung, Hamgyeongnam-do, taken early last month by a private U.S. satellite company, Planet Labs.

According to an analysis by the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Research, a U.S. think tank, additional assembly facilities under construction and new buildings that appear to be housing for workers are observed.

In addition, North Korean authorities have also been spotted reinforcing the entrances and exits of underground facilities in the complex.

Sam Rare, a researcher at the research center, explained that it is the only plant known to produce Hwasong-11 missiles.

In addition, it is noted that the movements captured in satellite imagery suggest that the plant is trying to significantly increase or increase its throughput.The Hwasong-11, also called

KN-23, is North Korea's flagship short-range ballistic missile, which Ukraine and Western countries believe is supported by Russia and used on the battlefield.

Earlier, a large number of Western parts such as the United States were used in the missile.

[Andri Chuchtsky / Kyiu Forensics Specialized Scientific Research Institute: All electronic components are from foreign countries. There is no Bukhansan Mountain. The only parts from North Korea are metals that rust and corrode quickly.

Strengthening cooperation between Russia and North Korea is also felt everywhere.

The fact that the Hasan-Tuman River railway checkpoint on the border between the two countries has been in full operation this year is also a proof of strengthening border trade.

In addition, the two countries signed a protocol that includes sports exchanges next year.

In particular, the government will continue to strengthen cooperation in sports, including agreeing to hold summer sports competitions every two years starting next year.

I'm Kim Jiyoung of YTN.