May 28, 2025—
The CSIS Beyond Parallel team compiled an original database of all North Korean provocations since the Korean War in 1953, beginning with the first provocation documented in 1958. There has been more than 280 instances of provocations, including from missile and nuclear tests, airplane hijackings, bombings, exchange of fire, to infiltration and territorial incursions into South Korea.
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.
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.
November 1, 2024—
In this episode, Andrew Schwartz, Victor Cha, and distinguished guests discuss the Kremlin's motivations, the potential impacts on the battlefield in Ukraine, what North Korea is likely to receive in return, how Beijing may perceive this development, and more.
October 21, 2024, by Sydney Seiler—
This first appeared as a…
October 14, 2024, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Satellite image of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Testing Facility acquired on October 4, 2024, a few days before the rapid escalation of tension in the peninsula, shows that the facility continues to be well maintained... Close-up view of the area around the portal to Tunnel No. 3 (South Portal). Click…
September 24, 2024, by Victor Cha—
In this groundbreaking book, the leading scholar and practitioner Victor D. Cha shines a light into the “black box” of North Korea and draws critical lessons for the possible reunification of Korea after many decades of division... 2024, Columbia University Press "[The Black Box] calls on privileged insights into North Korea. Peace,…
September 23, 2024—
In this episode, Andrew Schwartz and Victor Cha discuss Dr. Victor Cha's new book, The Black Box: Demystifying the Study of Korean Unification and North Korea... In this episode, Andrew Schwartz and Victor Cha discuss Dr. Victor Cha's new book, The Black…
July 29, 2024, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Despite the goal of advancing denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through leader-to-leader exchanges in 2018 and 2019, thermal infrared (TIR) imagery of the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center around the summit dates reveals limited impact on Yongbyon’s overall operational status.
