The Sohae Space Launch Ground before the first Unha-X launch in 2023 ?

 

The long standstill on the Sohae SLG is an indication that the Unha-X is not a priority at the moment. N.K. do not have a GEO satellite yet. Instead, they initially want to transport smaller observation satellites into a SSO. For this purpose, a launch site is built on the west coast.for the "Chollima-1" launcher.

2023, June 30 -- The reconstruction of the launch tower is complete. The new slewing crane is mounted on the tower. The plant with the fuel bunkers is still unfinished.
2023, May 31 -- The work goes on. The transfer structure is at the gantry and has probably transported material that was delivered by rail.
2023, May 22 -- The transfer structure has been returned to the starting position. However, the demolished fuel bunkers have not yet been restored.

2023, May 14 & 16 -- The work has meanwhile started again. The changed transfer structure has a roof again. It is unlikely that the tall slewing crane in close proximity to the gantry tower will permanently replace the old dismantled tower crane.
 

2023. March 01 -- New photos of the Sohae SLG suggest an ongoing standstill in the supposed reconstruction of the systems.
On the contrary, the persistently ruinous state is like shutting down the plant. At this point in time, it can be ruled out that the launch of a satellite announced for April will take place from this facility.

       

 2023, January 18 -- The new satellite photo of the construction site only shows progress in changing the gantry. It looks like a radical changes.of the upper swiveling service platforms. Also interesting is that the ring on the launch pad has been removed.

           
Temporary dismantling of the gantry 12/2022 & 01/2023

2022, December 19 -- Something is moving. North Korea has announced the launch of a reconnaissance satellite in April 2023. Since it is obviously a larger payload, the new Unha-X will presumably launch for the first time. Camera equipment for the satellite was launched from the road at the SSLG by NADA that day with a two-stage HS-7.
Recent satellite imagery from SSLG shows new activity. Obviously the gantry crane (including boom) will be renewed. The height of the gantry will probably not be changed. This was brought to the required level in 2015 with additional segments. The transfer structure was largely dismantled and will probably be rebuilt in a modernized way.

         

2022, March 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un inspected the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground ahead of the planned further reconstruction of the launch site.
. The exact date in 2022 is unknown. The launch facility was already fundamentally rebuilt in 2015 in order to be able to launch larger rockets.