Kim Jong Un may be accessing an area of North Korea with a large industrial complex by way of an eighth airstrip for his use. File Photo by KCNA

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- North Korea may be building an eighth runway for Kim Jong Un's personal use, according to a U.S. researcher.

Curtis Melvin of the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said satellite imagery taken in Unsan County, South Pyongan Province, showed the construction of a private runway, Radio Free Asia reported Wednesday.


The landing strip measures about 870 meters in length, and the photograph, taken Aug. 27, shows construction at an early phase, according to the report.

The image also shows the Sunchon cement factory and coal mine are nearby. A large industrial complex appears to be under construction to the south of the runway, and it is likely the airstrip was constructed so Kim could easily access the site during industry inspections, according to the report.

The runway is situated close to a densely populated area and could be designed for the use of "other important people" besides Kim, Melvin said.

North Korea has been building more private airstrips since Kim Jong Un fully assumed power in 2012. In May images showed a seventh airstrip had been built near Pyongyang's Mirim horse racetrack.

Satellite images have proved to be beneficial for studying North Korea developments.

Other photographs have shown the significant impact recent floods have had on the country.

Satellite images of Musan County in North Hamgyong Province show area buildings and houses have been swept away by the floods of late August and early September, according to Melvin.