Air Bases

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Air transportation in North Korea is practically nonexistent. The North Korean air force maintains approximately seventy air fields, including jet and non-jet bases and emergency runways, and has stationed its aircraft in some twenty to thirty air bases. Primary tactical aircraft are stationed at front-line bases and at airbases in the Pyongyang area. North Korea has deployed about half of its fighters in the front area which makes a possible short-warning attack against all areas of South Korea.

North Korea has built dozens of reserve airstrips for emergency landing and takeoff for fighters along highways and ordinary roads across the country. These reserve airstrips built along highways and on stretches of national roads between Sinuiju and Uiju, between P"yongyang and Sangwon, between P"yongyang and Wonsan, P"yongyang and Kaesong, P"yongyang and Sunan, between P"yongyang, P"yongsong, and Hamhung, between Wonsan-Kosong, between Hamhung and Ch"ongjin, and between Huich"on and Solsan.

The three air combat commands are under the direct control of the Air Command at Chunghwa, and the Eighth Air Division is probably headquartered at Rang [Orang] in the northeast. Pyongyang can place almost all its military aircraft in hardened--mostly underground--shelters.

In 1990-91, North Korea activated four forward air bases near the DMZ, which increased its initial southward reach and decreased warning and reaction times for Seoul.

More than 420 fighters, bombers, transport planes, and helicopters were redeployed in October 1995, with more than 100 aircraft were moved forward to three air bases near the DMZ. More than 20 Il-28 bombers were moved to Taetan which shortened their arrival time to Seoul from 30 minutes to 10 minutes. Over 80 MiG-17s redeployed to Nuchonri and Kuupri are able to attack Seoul in 6 minutes. According to South Korean estimates, these redeployments suggested that North Korea intends to make a first strike with outdated MiG-17s and the second strike with primary fighters such as MiG-21s and Su-25s.

Air Ports - 7 total


  NAME        DESIG. LATITUDE    LONGITUDE   AREA  UTM   JOG NO.

+ Chongjin
               AIRP  41ｰ47'11"N  129ｰ44'51"E  KN16  EB62  NK52-08
+ Ihyon
               AIRP  38ｰ07'00"N  125ｰ47'00"E  KN06  YN42  NJ51-08
+ Kwail
               AIRP  38ｰ25'19"N  125ｰ01'20"E  KN06  XN75  NJ51-08
+ Onchon
               AIRP  38ｰ53'25"N  125ｰ14'17"E  KN15  XP90  NJ51-08
+ Pukch'ang
               AIRP  39ｰ29'40"N  125ｰ58'44"E  KN15  YP57  NJ51-04
+ Sunchon
               AIRP  39ｰ24'48"N  125ｰ53'45"E  KN15  YP46  NJ51-04
+ Unchon Up
               AIRP  38ｰ32'59"N  125ｰ20'22"E  KN06  YN06  NJ51-08

Airfields - 60 total


   NAME        DESIG. LATITUDE    LONGITUDE   AREA  UTM   JOG NO.

+ Ayang Ni Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ14'54"N  125ｰ57'53"E  KN07  YN53  NJ51-08
+ Changjin-up
               AIRF  40ｰ22'08"N  127ｰ15'47"E  KN03  CX56  NK52-10
+ Changyon Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ13'30"N  125ｰ08'29"E  KN06  XN83  NJ51-08
+ Chik-Tong
               AIRF  38ｰ43'24"N  126ｰ40'52"E  KN07  BV98  NJ52-05
+ Ch'o do
               AIRF  38ｰ33'02"N  124ｰ50'04"E  KN06  XN66  NJ51-08
+ Haeju
               AIRF  38ｰ00'09"N  125ｰ46'50"E  KN06  YN40  NJ51-08
+ Hoeyang Southeast
               AIRF  38ｰ39'42"N  127ｰ38'56"E  KN09  CV87  NJ52-05
+ Hwangju
               AIRF  38ｰ39'01"N  125ｰ47'34"E  KN07  YN48  NJ51-08
+ Hwangsuwon
               AIRF  40ｰ40'54"N  128ｰ09'05"E  KN13  DA20  NK52-11
+ Hyesan
               AIRF  41ｰ22'40"N  128ｰ12'19"E  KN13  DA38  NK52-08
+ Hyon-ni
               AIRF  38ｰ37'00"N  127ｰ27'05"E  KN09  CV67  NJ52-05
+ Ichon
               AIRF  38ｰ28'54"N  126ｰ51'34"E  KN09  CV16  NJ52-05
+ Ihyon
               AIRF  38ｰ07'42"N  125ｰ51'00"E  KN07  YN42  NJ51-08
+ Inchon Northeast
               AIRF  38ｰ40'19"N  126ｰ55'34"E  KN09  CV18  NJ52-05
+ Kaechon
               AIRF  39ｰ45'14"N  125ｰ54'03"E  KN15  YQ40  NJ51-04
+ Kang Da Ri
               AIRF  39ｰ05'43"N  127ｰ24'18"E  KN09  CW62  NJ52-01
+ Kangdong
               AIRF  39ｰ09'16"N  126ｰ02'38"E  KN15  BW43  NJ52-01
+ Kilchu Hwy
               AIRF  40ｰ55'00"N  129ｰ18'49"E  KN16  EA22  NK52-11
+ Kojo
               AIRF  38ｰ50'21"N  127ｰ52'21"E  KN09  DV09  NJ52-06
+ Koksan
               AIRF  38ｰ41'35"N  126ｰ36'07"E  KN07  BV98  NJ52-05
+ Koksan South Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ44'07"N  126ｰ39'40"E  KN07  BV98  NJ52-05
+ Kuktong
               AIRF  41ｰ14'48"N  129ｰ33'53"E  KN16  EA46  NK52-08
+ Kuum-ni
               AIRF  38ｰ51'35"N  127ｰ54'32"E  KN09  DW00  NJ52-06
+ Kwaksan
               AIRF  39ｰ43'51"N  125ｰ06'47"E  KN11  XP89  NJ51-04
+ Kyongsong-Chuul
               AIRF  41ｰ33'39"N  129ｰ37'44"E  KN16  EB50  NK52-08
+ Maengsan
               AIRF  39ｰ39'04"N  126ｰ40'23"E  KN15  CW09  NJ52-01
+ Manpo
               AIRF  41ｰ08'20"N  126ｰ21'19"E  KN01  BA75  NK52-07
+ Mirim
               AIRF  39ｰ01'00"N  125ｰ50'41"E  KN12  YP42  NJ51-04
+ Nuchon Ni Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ13'46"N  126ｰ16'05"E  KN06  BV63  NJ52-05
+ Okpyong ni
               AIRF  39ｰ16'01"N  127ｰ19'28"E  KN09  CW54  NJ52-01
+ Ongjin
               AIRF  37ｰ55'39"N  125ｰ25'11"E  KN06  YM19  NJ51-08
+ Orang
               AIRF  41ｰ25'42"N  129ｰ38'51"E  KN16  EA58  NK52-08
+ Paegam
               AIRF  41ｰ56'41"N  128ｰ51'35"E  KN13  DB84  NK52-08
+ Panghyon
               AIRF  39ｰ55'43"N  125ｰ12'29"E  KN11  XQ82  NJ51-04
+ Panghyon South Highway Strip
               AIRF  39ｰ52'58"N  125ｰ09'43"E  KN11  XQ81  NJ51-04
+ Pyong Ni South Highway Strip
               AIRF  39ｰ19'24"N  125ｰ53'57"E  KN15  YP55  NJ51-04
+ Pyongsul Li
               AIRF  38ｰ42'46"N  126ｰ43'29"E  KN07  CV08  NJ52-05
+ Pyongyang
               AIRF  38ｰ56'14"N  125ｰ37'47"E  KN12  YP21  NJ51-08
+ Samjiyon
               AIRF  41ｰ54'20"N  128ｰ24'31"E  KN13  DB53  NK52-08
+ Sangwon Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ50'47"N  126ｰ03'51"E  KN12  BW40  NJ52-05
+ Sinhung Highway Strip
               AIRF  40ｰ10'53"N  127ｰ32'36"E  KN03  CX74  NK52-10
+ Sinuiju
               AIRF  40ｰ05'01"N  124ｰ24'28"E  KN11  XE23  NK51-12
+ Sohung South
               AIRF  38ｰ21'36"N  126ｰ13'14"E  KN07  BV54  NJ52-05
+ Sonchon
               AIRF  39ｰ55'06"N  124ｰ50'20"E  KN11  XQ51  NJ51-04
+ Sondok
               AIRF  39ｰ44'45"N  127ｰ28'37"E  KN03  CW69  NJ52-01
+ Sunan
               AIRF  39ｰ12'05"N  125ｰ40'21"E  KN15  YP34  NJ51-04
+ Sunan-up North Highway Strip
               AIRF  39ｰ14'16"N  125ｰ40'27"E  KN15  YP34  NJ51-04
+ Sungam ni
               AIRF  41ｰ40'19"N  129ｰ40'23"E  KN16  EB51  NK52-08
+ Taebukpo Ri
               AIRF  38ｰ19'46"N  126ｰ52'17"E  KN07  CV14  NJ52-05
+ Taechon
               AIRF  39ｰ54'14"N  125ｰ29'32"E  KN11  YQ11  NJ51-04
+ Taechon Northwest
               AIRF  39ｰ59'32"N  125ｰ21'36"E  KN11  YQ02  NJ51-04
  Taetan: see T'aet'an-pihaengjang
               AIRF  38ｰ08'04"N  125ｰ14'43"E  KN06  XN92  NJ51-08
+ T'aet'an-pihaengjang
               AIRF  38ｰ08'04"N  125ｰ14'43"E  KN06  XN92  NJ51-08
+ Toha Ri North
               AIRF  38ｰ42'10"N  126ｰ17'18"E  KN07  BV68  NJ52-05
+ Toksan
               AIRF  39ｰ59'37"N  127ｰ37'02"E  KN03  CX82  NJ52-02
+ Uiju
               AIRF  40ｰ08'59"N  124ｰ29'53"E  KN11  XE24  NK51-12
+ Uthachi
               AIRF  38ｰ54'46"N  125ｰ48'00"E  KN12  YP41  NJ51-08
+ Wong Yo Ri Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ35'47"N  126ｰ31'38"E  KN07  BV87  NJ52-05
+ Wonsan
               AIRF  39ｰ09'41"N  127ｰ29'06"E  KN09  CW63  NJ52-01
+ Yong Hung
               AIRF  39ｰ32'09"N  127ｰ17'29"E  KN03  CW57  NJ52-01

Airfields - 60 total

The same list, sorted by geographical coordinates.


   NAME        DESIG. LATITUDE    LONGITUDE   AREA  UTM   JOG NO.


+ Ongjin
               AIRF  37ｰ55'39"N  125ｰ25'11"E  KN06  YM19  NJ51-08
+ Haeju
               AIRF  38ｰ00'09"N  125ｰ46'50"E  KN06  YN40  NJ51-08
+ Ihyon
               AIRF  38ｰ07'42"N  125ｰ51'00"E  KN07  YN42  NJ51-08
  Taetan: see T'aet'an-pihaengjang
               AIRF  38ｰ08'04"N  125ｰ14'43"E  KN06  XN92  NJ51-08
+ T'aet'an-pihaengjang
               AIRF  38ｰ08'04"N  125ｰ14'43"E  KN06  XN92  NJ51-08
+ Changyon Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ13'30"N  125ｰ08'29"E  KN06  XN83  NJ51-08
+ Nuchon Ni Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ13'46"N  126ｰ16'05"E  KN06  BV63  NJ52-05
+ Ayang Ni Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ14'54"N  125ｰ57'53"E  KN07  YN53  NJ51-08
+ Taebukpo Ri
               AIRF  38ｰ19'46"N  126ｰ52'17"E  KN07  CV14  NJ52-05
+ Sohung South
               AIRF  38ｰ21'36"N  126ｰ13'14"E  KN07  BV54  NJ52-05
+ Ichon
               AIRF  38ｰ28'54"N  126ｰ51'34"E  KN09  CV16  NJ52-05
+ Ch'o do
               AIRF  38ｰ33'02"N  124ｰ50'04"E  KN06  XN66  NJ51-08
+ Wong Yo Ri Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ35'47"N  126ｰ31'38"E  KN07  BV87  NJ52-05
+ Hyon-ni
               AIRF  38ｰ37'00"N  127ｰ27'05"E  KN09  CV67  NJ52-05
+ Hwangju
               AIRF  38ｰ39'01"N  125ｰ47'34"E  KN07  YN48  NJ51-08
+ Hoeyang Southeast
               AIRF  38ｰ39'42"N  127ｰ38'56"E  KN09  CV87  NJ52-05
+ Inchon Northeast
               AIRF  38ｰ40'19"N  126ｰ55'34"E  KN09  CV18  NJ52-05
+ Koksan
               AIRF  38ｰ41'35"N  126ｰ36'07"E  KN07  BV98  NJ52-05
+ Toha Ri North
               AIRF  38ｰ42'10"N  126ｰ17'18"E  KN07  BV68  NJ52-05
+ Pyongsul Li
               AIRF  38ｰ42'46"N  126ｰ43'29"E  KN07  CV08  NJ52-05
+ Chik-Tong
               AIRF  38ｰ43'24"N  126ｰ40'52"E  KN07  BV98  NJ52-05
+ Koksan South Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ44'07"N  126ｰ39'40"E  KN07  BV98  NJ52-05
+ Kojo
               AIRF  38ｰ50'21"N  127ｰ52'21"E  KN09  DV09  NJ52-06
+ Sangwon Highway Strip
               AIRF  38ｰ50'47"N  126ｰ03'51"E  KN12  BW40  NJ52-05
+ Kuum-ni
               AIRF  38ｰ51'35"N  127ｰ54'32"E  KN09  DW00  NJ52-06
+ Uthachi
               AIRF  38ｰ54'46"N  125ｰ48'00"E  KN12  YP41  NJ51-08
+ Pyongyang
               AIRF  38ｰ56'14"N  125ｰ37'47"E  KN12  YP21  NJ51-08
+ Mirim
               AIRF  39ｰ01'00"N  125ｰ50'41"E  KN12  YP42  NJ51-04
+ Kang Da Ri
               AIRF  39ｰ05'43"N  127ｰ24'18"E  KN09  CW62  NJ52-01
+ Kangdong
               AIRF  39ｰ09'16"N  126ｰ02'38"E  KN15  BW43  NJ52-01
+ Wonsan
               AIRF  39ｰ09'41"N  127ｰ29'06"E  KN09  CW63  NJ52-01
+ Sunan
               AIRF  39ｰ12'05"N  125ｰ40'21"E  KN15  YP34  NJ51-04
+ Sunan-up North Highway Strip
               AIRF  39ｰ14'16"N  125ｰ40'27"E  KN15  YP34  NJ51-04
+ Okpyong ni
               AIRF  39ｰ16'01"N  127ｰ19'28"E  KN09  CW54  NJ52-01
+ Pyong Ni South Highway Strip
               AIRF  39ｰ19'24"N  125ｰ53'57"E  KN15  YP55  NJ51-04
+ Yong Hung
               AIRF  39ｰ32'09"N  127ｰ17'29"E  KN03  CW57  NJ52-01
+ Maengsan
               AIRF  39ｰ39'04"N  126ｰ40'23"E  KN15  CW09  NJ52-01
+ Kwaksan
               AIRF  39ｰ43'51"N  125ｰ06'47"E  KN11  XP89  NJ51-04
+ Sondok
               AIRF  39ｰ44'45"N  127ｰ28'37"E  KN03  CW69  NJ52-01
+ Kaechon
               AIRF  39ｰ45'14"N  125ｰ54'03"E  KN15  YQ40  NJ51-04
+ Panghyon South Highway Strip
               AIRF  39ｰ52'58"N  125ｰ09'43"E  KN11  XQ81  NJ51-04
+ Taechon
               AIRF  39ｰ54'14"N  125ｰ29'32"E  KN11  YQ11  NJ51-04
+ Sonchon
               AIRF  39ｰ55'06"N  124ｰ50'20"E  KN11  XQ51  NJ51-04
+ Panghyon
               AIRF  39ｰ55'43"N  125ｰ12'29"E  KN11  XQ82  NJ51-04
+ Taechon Northwest
               AIRF  39ｰ59'32"N  125ｰ21'36"E  KN11  YQ02  NJ51-04
+ Toksan
               AIRF  39ｰ59'37"N  127ｰ37'02"E  KN03  CX82  NJ52-02
+ Sinuiju
               AIRF  40ｰ05'01"N  124ｰ24'28"E  KN11  XE23  NK51-12
+ Uiju
               AIRF  40ｰ08'59"N  124ｰ29'53"E  KN11  XE24  NK51-12
+ Sinhung Highway Strip
               AIRF  40ｰ10'53"N  127ｰ32'36"E  KN03  CX74  NK52-10
+ Changjin-up
               AIRF  40ｰ22'08"N  127ｰ15'47"E  KN03  CX56  NK52-10
+ Hwangsuwon
               AIRF  40ｰ40'54"N  128ｰ09'05"E  KN13  DA20  NK52-11
+ Kilchu Hwy
               AIRF  40ｰ55'00"N  129ｰ18'49"E  KN16  EA22  NK52-11
+ Manpo
               AIRF  41ｰ08'20"N  126ｰ21'19"E  KN01  BA75  NK52-07
+ Kuktong
               AIRF  41ｰ14'48"N  129ｰ33'53"E  KN16  EA46  NK52-08
+ Hyesan
               AIRF  41ｰ22'40"N  128ｰ12'19"E  KN13  DA38  NK52-08
+ Orang
               AIRF  41ｰ25'42"N  129ｰ38'51"E  KN16  EA58  NK52-08
+ Kyongsong-Chuul
               AIRF  41ｰ33'39"N  129ｰ37'44"E  KN16  EB50  NK52-08
+ Sungam ni
               AIRF  41ｰ40'19"N  129ｰ40'23"E  KN16  EB51  NK52-08
+ Samjiyon
               AIRF  41ｰ54'20"N  128ｰ24'31"E  KN13  DB53  NK52-08
+ Paegam
               AIRF  41ｰ56'41"N  128ｰ51'35"E  KN13  DB84  NK52-08

Sources and Resources

North Korean Military Posture ROK Defense White Paper 1996 ~ 1997
: North Korea: Defector Describes DPRK Military Roads : FBIS-EAS-97-364: 30 Dec 1997

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