Flight drill New ski resort Lubricant factory Orphanage Sock factory Shoe factory Military pig farm Multiple rocket launch drill Tile factory Army base Long-range ballistic missile Ballistic missile test-fire

Since Kim Jong-un became North Korea’s leader in 2011, he has been trying to project a strong image at home and abroad. A major part of that has been making upgrades to military and civilian infrastructure. The investments were made despite decades of sanctions and included wide-ranging projects such as orphanages, a ski resort and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

“The people of North Korea knew little to nothing about him before he became leader,” said Curtis Melvin, a researcher who has been tracking satellite imagery of the isolated nation for 38 North, a website run by Johns Hopkins University’s U.S.-Korea Institute. “He launched a number of high-visibility projects, which raised his profile and established his legitimacy to rule.”

This week North Korea successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that experts said could potentially hit Alaska. Images of Mr. Kim celebrating the event were publicized as much as the photographs of the missile taking off.

Kim Jong-un celebrating the successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4. Korean Central News Agency

When Kim Jong-un’s father, Kim Jong-il, inherited power, he also invested in highly visible projects. But he prioritized initiatives aimed at making North Korea self-sufficient. During his tenure, North Korea endured a famine and the loss of Soviet backing. Mr. Kim has veered from his father’s legacy, investing in public works programs that “ostensibly improve the living conditions of the people,” Mr. Melvin added.

Wonsan, a city on the country’s east coast, is an example of how Mr. Kim has launched infrastructure projects in provincial capitals across the country.

North Korea Pyongyang Wonsan Seoul

Hover Orphanage and school Satellite images by Google Expanded airport Satellite images by Google (2014) and Planet (2016) Ski Resort Satellite images by Google Upgraded children’s camp Satellite images by Google Amusement Park Satellite images by Google (2014) and Planet (2016)

The government is investing in local markets.

At least 22 markets were built, and more than 60 were renovated, Mr. Melvin said. The measure is a boost to local economies and a further departure from the centrally planned economic model. Under Mr. Kim, the North’s economy is thought to have grown between 1 percent and 5 percent per year.

New market outside of Kaechon Relocated market in Nampo

“North Korea's consumer economy has expanded significantly under Kim Jong-un,” Mr. Melvin said. “More markets are open now than at any point in the past — these legal markets also prop up state finances,” he added.

It is unclear how North Korea is paying for the construction, since the country’s economy is among the least transparent in the world. But specialists point to income from sending laborers overseas, donations from traders and illicit transactions such as bank hacking and weapons sales.

“Labor and cement are cheap in North Korea”, said Jeffrey Lewis, a North Korea specialist at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, in California. “They don't have to pay,” he added.

North Korea is trying to solve its chronic energy problem.

Most of the country is dark in this composite of satellite images showing night lights from last year.

Night lights composite (2016) Pyongyang Seoul Night lights composite (2016) Pyongyang Seoul

More than 10 power station construction projects have been underway since Mr. Kim took control, at least two in collaboration with China.

A power station built on the Chongchon River

North Korea has also invested in reforestation. Tree nurseries, like the one below, have been constructed around the country.

A tree nursery about 12 miles south of Pyongyang

Much of North Korea’s trees were cut for timber and firewood, a vital economic and energy source for the country, and for export.

North Korea is making large investments in military infrastructure and missile tests.

During the Korean War, North Korea was hit with thousands of tons of American bombs. The conflict technically continues, and North Korea claims it needs a robust defense program to protect itself in case of a renewed American attack.

Thousands of artillery sites are spread throughout North Korea, shown on the map below. But many are thought to be obsolete. The country has been updating some of those sites and other military structures.

China North Korea Artillery sites South Korea China North Korea Artillery sites South Korea China North Korea Artillery sites South Korea By The New York Times | Source: Data compiled by Curtis Melvin for 38 North.

The North’s defense system also includes thousands of aircraft artillery sites, and the country has been building new sites, like the anti-aircraft artillery positions below, on the outskirts of Pyongyang.

Satellite images by Google

Upgrades to military infrastructure include the expansion, renovation and construction of bases, airstrips, training facilities and support structures.

Artillery sites Locations added near the border with South Korea Aircraft revetments Barriers were added to this section of a highway south of Pyongyang, allowing it to be retrofitted as a runway. Renovated base Nearly every North Korean island is a military base, and several have been renovated. Satellite images by Google

North Korea is already capable of striking Japan and South Korea, but it is trying to develop missiles that can reach as far as the United States mainland and American military bases in the Pacific, including Guam.

Nuclear tests Missile tests Kim Jong-un 2017 2016 In power since 2011 2013 2011 Kim Jong-il 2009 1994-2011 2006 2003 25 10 15 20 0 Nuclear tests Missile tests 2017 2016 Kim Jong-un 2013 In power since 2011 2011 Kim Jong-il 2009 1994-2011 2006 2003 0 10 15 20 25 Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies

The Sinpo base, in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, is central to North Korea’s efforts to develop new submarines and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. It gained new shipbuilding facilities and a missile launching pad.

missile test stand First used in 2014 with prototype ballistic missiles. Construction halls Expanded since 2014. Experimental submarine To launch ballistic missiles. construction halls Expanded since 2014. Experimental submarine To launch ballistic missiles. missile test stand First used in 2014 with prototype ballistic missiles. Satellite image by Google

A naval base in Munchon has been under expansion since 2014. “These sites represent the most significant renovation of North Korea's conventional navy fleet on the east coast,” Mr. Melvin said.

Dockyard razed and rebuilt Bridge under construction Naval base expansion Naval base expansion Bridge under construction Dockyard razed and rebuilt 1/2 Mile Naval base expansion Bridge under construction Dockyard razed and rebuilt 1/2 Mile Naval base expansion Bridge under construction Dockyard razed and rebuilt 1/2 Mile Satellite image by Google

“Kim Jong-un has definitely made construction a major element of North Korea's propaganda efforts,” added Mr. Lewis, from the Middlebury Institute. In an example of how Mr. Kim has tried to use investments in military and civilian infrastructure to enhance his public image, a group of foreign journalists were invited to Pyongyang in April and herded to the opening of a housing complex.