Mirim Airbase

Military and strategic repurposing. The airbase was not closed due to economic failure or a specific accident, but was systematically converted from an active military airfield into a multi-purpose facility. Its prime location within the capital made it more valuable for state propaganda and elite leisure activities than for active jet fighter operations, which were likely consolidated at other bases further from the city center like Sunan (FNJ) or Sunchon (KP-0010).

The site has been extensively redeveloped and now serves multiple functions, none of which are related to its original role as a frontline airbase:
1. **Mirim Parade Training Ground:** The most prominent use of the former runway and main apron is as a massive training ground for North Korea's iconic military parades. A full-scale replica of Kim Il Sung Square is painted on the tarmac, allowing thousands of soldiers and hundreds of military vehicles to practice their formations in detail before the actual event. Satellite imagery frequently shows troops and vehicles rehearsing here.
2. **Mirim Riding Club:** In 2013, a large and modern equestrian facility was constructed on the southern portion of the former airbase. This elite club, built under the direction of Kim Jong Un, features indoor and outdoor riding arenas, stables, and a veterinary hospital, catering to North Korea's elite and serving as a propaganda showpiece.
3. **Mirim Aviation Club:** An ultralight aviation club was established on the site, offering flights in light sport aircraft. This club is primarily for recreational purposes, tourism, and for the country's elite, rather than for military training.
4. **Military Vehicle Storage:** Portions of the airbase are still used for staging and storing military vehicles, especially in the lead-up to parades.

Mirim Airbase was a historically significant military installation for the Korean People's Army Air Force (KPAAF). During its active years, it was one of the primary airbases responsible for the air defense of the capital city, Pyongyang. It housed fighter regiments equipped with Soviet-era aircraft, including MiG-17, MiG-19, and potentially Shenyang J-6 (the Chinese version of the MiG-19) fighter jets. The base played a crucial role in the KPAAF's defense posture during the Cold War, representing a forward line of defense for the nation's political and administrative heart. Its single runway (approx. 2,400 meters / 7,900 feet) and associated aprons and hardened aircraft shelters were typical of Soviet-style airbase design of that era.

Effectively zero. The prospect of Mirim reopening as a conventional military airbase is extremely unlikely. The site has been permanently and significantly altered with the construction of the Mirim Riding Club and its established, critical role as the national parade training ground. Reverting it to an active airfield would require demolishing these high-profile state projects and would serve no clear strategic advantage, as its former military role has been absorbed by other, more suitable airbases. Its current functions are considered highly important for state propaganda and regime prestige.