June 2022
Backgrounder: Previous DPRK Nuclear Tests by Tianran Xu
The DPRK has conducted six nuclear tests, each of which took place within months of long-range rocket or satellite launches. In anticipation of a possible seventh nuclear test, information on the first six tests has been compiled.
June 2022
Update: The DPRK's COVID-19 Outbreak & Implications for a Possible Next Nuclear Test by Elin Bergner
On 12 May 2022, the DPRK confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the first confirmed cases were tested in Pyongyang on 8 May, and carried the Omicron BA.2 variant.
May 2022
The DPRK's COVID-19 Outbreak & Implications for a Possible Next Nuclear Test by Elin Bergner
On 12 May 2022, the DPRK confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19. This pandemic is highly likely to bring about significant impacts to the DPRK's domestic policies and operations in a wide variety of areas, including agriculture, public health and national defence.
May 2022
Factors Related to Past DPRK Nuclear Tests by Open Nuclear Network
In light of recent analyses about a possible next nuclear weapon test by the DPRK [i], ONN has compiled data related to each of the six previous nuclear weapon tests of the DPRK, specifically the timing of the previous tests, nuclear test site preparations, launch vehicle development, environmental factors and the political context. These factors may assist in assessing when a next test might take place. It should be noted, however, that there may be other relevant factors that cannot be fully understood from open sources (e.g. the intentions of Kim Jong Un).
May 2022
Overview of the DPRK's 25 April 2022 Military Parade by Tianran Xu
The DPRK held its military parade in the evening of 25 April to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
April 2022
DPRK Military Parade Viewbook 2022 by Tianran Xu
This viewbook has been prepared in anticipation of a forthcoming DPRK military parade, which will likely be held either in celebration of the 110th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung or the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
April 2022
Update: Developments at the DPRK's Punggye-Ri Nuclear Test Site between 14 and 20 April 2022 by Jaewoo Shin, Katsuhisa Furukawa
In previous publications dated 28 March, 6 April and 14 April 2022, ONN reported signs of increasing activities within the Punggye-ri nuclear test site of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), especially at the secondary entrance to Tunnel 3 (also known as the South Portal).
April 2022
Update: Developments at the DPRK's Punggye-Ri Nuclear Test Site between 6 and 14 April 2022 by Jaewoo Shin, Katsuhisa Furukawa
In previous publications dated 28 March and 6 April 2022, ONN reported signs of increasing activities within the Punggye-ri nuclear weapon test site of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), especially at the secondary entrance to Tunnel 3 (also known as the South Portal).
April 2022
Update: Developments at the DPRK's Punggye-Ri Nuclear Test Site between 24 March and 6 April 2022 by Katsuhisa Furukawa, Jaewoo Shin
In our previous publication dated 28 March 2022, we reported on developments observed at the DPRK's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, indicating that the DPRK had begun to reactivate some parts of the site.
March 2022
Developments at the DPRK's Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site since December 2021 by Katsuhisa Furukawa
Since December 2021, new developments have been observed at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), showing that the DPRK has reactivated, or is in the process of reactivating, some parts of this nuclear weapon test site. This includes probable restoration of one of the four former test tunnels, specifically, the one that had been built but not previously used for testing.
