Rare Satellite Images Reveal North Korea's Import of Belarusian Dump Trucks

このページを日本語で読む

On March 17, an analysis of satellite images by sources with intelligence on North Korea revealed that the country had imported at least four large mining dump trucks. These trucks were manufactured in Belarus, a Russian ally supporting the invasion of Ukraine. It is rare for the import of large vehicles into North Korea to be captured in images.

The export of transportation vehicles to North Korea is prohibited by United Nations Security Council resolutions. However, the dump trucks are believed to have been transferred via Russia. There is a possibility that these trucks could be converted for military use, such as missile launch platforms. This has prompted increased vigilance from concerned nations.

Trucks Unloaded at Tumangang

The satellite images were taken by the American space technology company Maxar Technologies on November 6, 2024. They captured the scene near Tumangang Station on the North Korea-Russia border. The images show four yellow dump trucks being unloaded from a stationary freight train. The train is believed to have arrived at Tumangang Station via the Trans-Siberian Railway from Russia.

According to sources, the dump trucks in the images were manufactured by Belarusian heavy vehicle giant BelAZ. The exact origin of the exported vehicles remains unclear. There have been reports suggesting that North Korea is negotiating with Russian and Belarusian companies to import additional vehicles.

Satellite image taken on November 6, 2024, showing North Korea's Tumangang Station on the Russia-North Korea border. Four yellow dump trucks are being unloaded from a freight train. The image has been partially edited within the zoomed-in frame. (Courtesy of Maxar Technologies)

Potential Military Repurposing

North Korea has previously imported similar large vehicles from China and modified them for military use. These vehicles were later showcased at military parades as mobile launch platforms for ballistic missiles.

In 2019, it was confirmed that a truck smuggled from a China-Belarus joint venture had been converted into a mobile launcher for the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The sources believe that the newly imported dump trucks may also be repurposed for military use. They are closely monitoring the situation.