By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A new report reveals a covert North Korean military base near the Chinese border, the Sinpung-dong Missile Operating Base, which poses a potential nuclear threat to both East Asia and the continental United States. This base, identified through satellite imagery and interviews, is believed to house advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles, potentially including the Hwasong-15 or Hwasong-18, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Construction began in 2004 and was operational by 2014, representing one of many undeclared ballistic missile sites. North Korea’s ongoing weapons development, coupled with Kim Jong Un’s calls for nuclear buildup, underscores the ongoing challenges to denuclearization efforts.
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North Korea has a secret base near China with missiles that could reach the U.S., a new report says, and honestly, it’s not entirely surprising.
The fact that a North Korean missile base exists near China, geographically speaking, isn’t exactly a huge revelation. Considering China is one of only three countries that border North Korea, the location itself isn’t a particularly well-kept secret. The real question, and the focus of this new report, is the nature of this base – its capabilities, its purpose, and the potential threat it poses. The base, dubbed the Sinpung-dong Missile Operating Base, is reportedly close to the Chinese border and potentially houses advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Now, let’s be clear, North Korea’s missile program has been a source of global concern for years. They’ve tested missiles that have flown significant distances, and they’ve declared themselves a nuclear power. The idea that they possess the capability to strike the United States is a serious matter, one that deserves attention and scrutiny. However, a lot of the reactions to this news echo sentiments of “Here we go again.” There are thoughts along the lines of this being another instance of “fear-mongering propaganda”, and that the news is “nothing burger”, with many voices saying we have known this for a long time, or even that it is a manufactured crisis designed to distract.
Of course, the question of whether North Korea actually *can* successfully deliver a nuclear warhead to the U.S. is complex. There are debates about the reliability of their missiles and the maturity of their nuclear technology. Some assessments question their actual capacity and capabilities. But the fact that they are trying, the fact that they *want* this capability, is what matters. The very *potential* for such an attack is destabilizing. Furthermore, there is a sentiment that the US itself has not been innocent in creating this threat. The US has bases across the globe. This in effect is just a strongman taunting a weaker counterpart who is also holding a bat.
The report emphasizes that the missiles at the Sinpung-dong base are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which ratchets up the stakes considerably. Even if the warheads aren’t currently deployed, the potential is there. And, as history has demonstrated, the pursuit of nuclear weapons by countries like North Korea is often a strategic response to perceived threats. As one user points out, the US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities may have even incentivized North Korea.
This is a dynamic where the US strikes other nations, and other nations then respond in kind. This is a dangerous game.
The geopolitical implications of this are significant, too. If North Korea does have a viable ICBM capability, it could shift the balance of power in East Asia. It could complicate relationships with China, who, in the event of a conflict, would likely be at the front lines. It would also potentially alter the security calculations of countries like South Korea and Japan. The report itself highlights this: “These missiles pose a potential nuclear threat to East Asia and the continental United States.”
There’s also the question of China’s role. China is North Korea’s most important ally and has historically played a crucial role in the regime’s survival. It is widely speculated that if North Korea were to attack the U.S. directly, China would not come to their defense. Yet, they also are unlikely to allow North Korea to be utterly dismantled in order to maintain a buffer zone. China’s involvement is complex and strategic, and its response to any aggressive action by North Korea would be critical.
However, there are also several other things to consider. Some point out that North Korea has been known to possess submarines that could potentially launch nuclear weapons. Also, it has been proven that the US can respond to North Korea if they have nuclear weapons and that China will never let North Korea attack the United States. This would essentially create a situation where North Korea would lose their buffer with China on one side and the US and South Korea on the other. They would be utterly destroyed as a nation.
The revelation of this new base near the Chinese border does little to alleviate the geopolitical tension. Instead, it further exposes the complex dynamics and the delicate balance of power in the region. There are fears of a nuclear arms race and the ever-present danger of miscalculation.