SCHEMING Kim Jong-un has constructed a new missile base disguised as a private golf course, satellite images reveal.

Top analysts told The Sun how the James Bond villain-esque golf course features sand traps, grass and putting greens – but they believe they are being used to conceal launch pads and missile caches.

Planet Labs/ James Martin Center

An infra-red satellite image reveals likely launch pads at the site[/caption]

Planet Labs/ James Martin Center

Pictures taken in 2023 show the site before its transformation[/caption]

Planet Labs/ James Martin Center

Newer images taken in November show straightened and widened roads throughout the complex[/caption]

Planet Labs/ James Martin Center

Images also show what is thought to be a missile storage facility near the golf course[/caption]

Credit: Pen News

Kim Jong-un oversees a drill with his troops[/caption]

The extent of the North Korean despot’s nuclear and missile programme has long been shrouded in mystery – with stations scattered across the hermit kingdom.

Satellite images reveal Kim‘s latest base, however, as he continues to ramp up his weapon development.

The pictures reveal what appears to be a private golf course near a recently demolished Kim family mansion in the Ryokpho district of southern Pyongyang.

But analysts from the Open Source Team at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies of the Middlebury Institute took a closer look.

Sam Lair, from the eagle-eyed team, said workers appeared to lay concrete across the valley site last summer to aid launch vehicles.

Wide roads and large concrete pads are telltale giveaways rocket man Kim wants to use the site to launch his missiles.

Grass was then used to cover the concrete base – and golf course-style features including sand traps added to not arouse suspicion.

Kim – whose father Kim Jong-il wildly claimed to have scored 11 holes in one in his first ever round of golf – has also had a building big enough to fit several intercontinental ballistic missile launchers constructed.

Research associate Sam said: “It seems the base has been disguised as a golf course by pouring concrete launch pads in fields and then covering them with turf or grass, manicured to have the appearance of a golf course.

“Moreover, sand traps have been added throughout the field with the launch pads.

“The large sections of concrete are one indication that it is a missile launch site.

“Another is the large, high-bay building nearby. The building is about 36 meters tall, large enough for long-range missile launchers to test their erector mechanisms indoors.

“Finally, the wide-radius turns that have been added to the roads around the facility would make it easier to drive a large transporter erector launcher.”

Analysts confirmed the base could be used to launch long-range missiles – though appears more operational at the moment.

It seems the base has been disguised as a golf course by pouring concrete launch pads in fields and then covering them with turf or grass, manicured to have the appearance of a gold course

Sam Lair

Sam added: “The facility seems to be complete, and has been since about last November, suggesting it could be used for testing anytime.”

Circular platforms have been installed at the base, which could serve as launch pads for missiles.

Kim has doubled down on his weapon development in recent years, with North Korea beginning studies into nuclear power in the 1950s.

The tyrant wants his nation to be a powerhouse on the nuclear and missile front, with ongoing efforts to elevate status and improve readiness.

THE SUN

How Kim could look on a day out at his missile golf course[/caption]

Pyongyang has several nuclear and missile facilities that have not been revealed.

North Korea’s iron-fist regime is thought to have up to 20 undeclared ballistic missiles operating bases and support facilities.

But with shady Kim using tactics such as disguising them as golf courses there are likely to be more.

Sam added: “Before the recent construction and the installation of concrete, that area was farmland, so it was not a golf course previously.

“It does look like the estate nearby was demolished to prepare the area for the new missile site.

“The Kim family has residences all over the country, and many nearby since this site is not far from Pyongyang.

“One notable one would be the Samsok residence east of Pyongyang.”

Kim watched over North Korea’s latest rocket test last week as strategic cruise missiles were launched.

KCNA, the state news agency of North Korea, said the test was designed to warn “enemies, who are seriously violating the security environment of the (country) and fostering and escalating the confrontation environment”.

The launch off the west coast of the Korean peninsula was also pegged to demonstrate “readiness of its various nuke operation means”.

Kim, as quoted by KCNA, said: “What is guaranteed by powerful striking ability is the most perfect deterrence and defense capacity.”

EPA

AFP

Credit: Pen News

North Korean troops on exercise for Kim Jong-un[/caption]