BY KENJI MINEMURA, THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
BEIJING--The North Korean leadership is believed to have established a temporary command center near the Chinese border, apparently to prepare for a military emergency, a think tank in Hong Kong has reported.
The Kanwa Information Center said its analysis was based on satellite photos and informed sources.
It also said more than 10 helicopters, likely for use in evacuation, are stored in an underground facility of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces in Pyongyang.
According to the center, the wartime command headquarters is located at North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's "guest house" on Mount Baekdusan on the border of North Korea and China.
Situated on a mountain standing more than 2,700 meters above sea level, the facility is apparently larger than any of Kim's other villas, and would be difficult to approach for all but the most highly trained special forces, it said.
Much of it is situated underground, with subterranean passages linking it to an airport. A helicopter hangar was recently added.
The center said the location ensures easy evacuation from the country as it is also connected with China's Jilin province by rail and road.
Photo analysis of Kim's office, residence and other buildings in Pyongyang has also revealed a large underground facility about 5 kilometers from Kim's office.
The underground facility holds more than 10 helicopters and is 200 meters underground, beneath a hill, it said.
Andrei Chang of the center said Kim is making preparations for an attack by U.S. and South Korean joint forces in addition to civil strife or an uprising.
He said the general secretary was moving to set up a base for his final resistance at the Baekdusan facility.
Chang added that the Pyongyang underground facility had apparently been set up to have helicopters ready for emergency evacuation.
It is concealed in a hilly area to escape bombing or missile attacks, he said.
The Asahi Shimbun
