A new naval base is being built in Tapchon, a location within Wonsan Bay on North Korea’s east coast. This site, visited recently by Kim Jong Un, has been a work-in-progress for about a decade. What makes this base special is that it will be one of North Korea’s most important naval facilities, designed to handle the country’s largest warships and submarines.
Why Tapchon?
North Korea’s west coast is too shallow for big warships, so they need a new base on the east coast where the water is deeper. Tapchon is perfect for this because it’s surrounded by tall mountains that can be used to set up artillery and missile stations for protection. The piers at Tapchon are already long enough to accommodate large warships.
A Long Road to Completion
Construction on the Tapchon site started around 2015 but faced many delays. It was originally a base for hovercrafts, but in 2014, hovercrafts were moved out, and many buildings were torn down. By 2015, they started reclaiming land and building piers. Progress continued slowly with a railway line being extended in 2017 and concrete blocks being prepared for the piers.
By 2019, several piers and buildings were visible, and Kim Jong Un recently visited the site. His visit is expected to speed up construction significantly. North Korea’s leader has emphasized the need to boost the country’s naval power, so this base is a top priority.
What’s Next?
With Kim Jong Un’s renewed focus, the Tapchon base is set to become a central piece of North Korea’s naval strategy. As construction ramps up, this facility could play a key role in the country’s military plans in the near future. Keep an eye on this site—it’s about to become a major player in North Korea’s naval ambitions.
