May 21, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Imagery shows dramatic increases in Sino-North Korean trade at the lesser-known Wonjong-ni-Quanhe border crossing over the past few years... Overview of Wonjong-ni-Quanhe border crossing, March 21, 2025. Copyright © 2025 by Maxar Technologies. Image may not be republished without permission. Please contact imagery@csis.org. There...
May 19, 2025, by Victor Cha and Andy Lim—
CSIS Beyond Parallel created a timeline documenting major developments in the growing North Korea-Russia relationship since 2022... The war in Ukraine has precipitated a renewed relationship between Russia and North Korea. Driven by Russia’s need for ammunition for the war, and North...
May 12, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Recent satellite image shows that a second vessel in the Choe Hyon-class of guided missile destroyers (DDGHM) is under construction at the Hambuk Shipyard in Chongjin... Close-up view of the new guided missile destroyer (DDGHM) under construction at Hambuk Shipyard, Chongjin,…
May 8, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
The last of a three-part series on the Yongdok-tong Nuclear High Explosive Test Facility, a critical component in the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of North Korea’s nuclear warheads, explores the underground facilities at Yongdok-tong and elsewhere.
May 2, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
The second of a three-part series on the Yongdok-tong Nuclear High Explosive Test Facility, a critical component in the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of North Korea’s nuclear warheads, explores development from 2010s to today.
May 1, 2025, by Andy Lim and Victor Cha—
Beyond Parallel created an original dataset of all high-level visits between the two countries from 1953 to the present to determine whether the number of high level visits over the last six decades could shed light on the current state of the relationship.
April 30, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
On April 25, North Korea launched the guided missile destroyer (DDGHM) Choe Hyon, the largest warship ever produced by North Korea... The Choe Hyon guided missile destroyer during its launch ceremony at Nampo on April 25, 2025. KCNA. On April 25, North Korea launched the guided...
April 23, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Recent imagery show clearest view yet of North Korea's largest warship, the new guided missile frigate (FFG), with netting removed... New guided missile frigate (FFG) at Nampo Navy Shipyard with netting mostly removed, April 21, 2025. Copyright © Planet 2025. Image may not be republished...
April 22, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
The Yongdok-tong Nuclear High Explosive Test Facility is the only known operating facility in the country for testing designs and components for high-explosive detonation of nuclear weapons. This is the most comprehensive report of this secret facility currently available at the unclassified level.
April 16, 2025, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
The new road bridge at the Tumangang-Khasan border constitutes more evidence of the burgeoning strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea. However, Recent satellite imagery shows the construction of the road bridge has stalled... Overview of the road bridge construction site at the Tumangang-Khasan border, March 28. 2025. Copyright…
