• North Korea has built a hidden missile base near its border with China capable of housing nuclear ICBMs.
• The base, identified as Sinpung-dong, may store six to nine intercontinental ballistic missiles.
• The report emphasizes the base's potential to launch unexpected strikes during crises.
• North Korea's nuclear ambitions have intensified post-failed talks with the US in 2019.
• Recent developments signal increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

According to a recent report by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), North Korea has constructed a secret military base named the Sinpung-dong Missile Operating Base, located approximately 27 kilometers (17 miles) from the Chinese border. This facility could potentially house six to nine nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) along with their mobile launchers. The report outlines how these developments present a nuclear threat to East Asia and the continental United States, as the base is believed to be a critical part of North Korea's evolving ballistic missile strategy and deterrence capabilities, according to SCMP, TRT Global, and India Times.

The report indicates that this base is just one of an estimated 15 to 20 ballistic missile facilities North Korea has built but never declared. Notably, these facilities have not been subjects of any denuclearization negotiations between the United States and North Korea in the past, reflecting a significant gap in diplomatic oversight, as highlighted by the SCMP, TRT Global, and India Times.

Furthermore, CSIS notes that in times of crisis or war, the missiles and their launchers are likely to exit the base and could link up with specialized units for launches that are more difficult to detect. This operational flexibility underscores the seriousness of North Korea's military strategy and enhances its nuclear capabilities, as indicated in the assessments from SCMP, TRT Global, and India Times.

These revelations come amid increasing tensions, as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for the 'rapid expansion' of the nation's nuclear weapons program following the collapse of diplomatic talks with the U.S. in 2019. The aftermath of these failed negotiations has positioned North Korea as an 'irreversible' nuclear state, further complicating international relations, as noted by SCMP, TRT Global, and India Times.

Additionally, the geopolitical landscape has shifted as North Korea has strengthened its ties with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine invasion, sending personnel and military supplies to support Russian efforts. Washington has expressed concerns over this collaboration, which may include cooperation in space and missile technology. The implications of these alliances further amplify the challenges faced in diplomatic efforts with North Korea, as emphasized by SCMP, TRT Global, and India Times.