March 27, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Jennifer Jun—
Imagery analysis has identified the Manpo Unha Factory as an important but little-known component of North Korea's nuclear infrastructure as the prime supplier of bulk chemicals to the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center... Location map showing the city of Manpo and the Manpo Unha Factory, March 1, 2023.…
March 14, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Ongoing development at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station seen in recent satellite imagery show continued preparations to expand the facility's capabilities to host larger rocket launches... Left: Close-up view of the launch pad area. Right: Close-up view of the west excavation…
February 17, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Analysis of recent commercially available satellite imagery of the Russia–North Korea railroad crossing suggests significantly increased energy and economic trade as Pyongyang seeks to tighten ties with Moscow... An approximate count of the railcars at Khasan and Tumangang shows the movement of railcars…
January 24, 2023, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Dramatic and ongoing construction progress continues throughout the eastern and central sections of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, including new construction near the horizontal engine test stand... Dramatic and ongoing construction progress continues throughout the eastern and central sections of the Sohae…
December 15, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Latest commercial satellite images of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station show construction has entered a new phase, including the addition of a new horizontal engine test stand, further expanding the facility's future capabilities. .. This report was updated on December 16, 2022, to incorporate the details of the test…
December 13, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
The small object which appeared in 2019 at the southern end of North Korea's Panghyon Aircraft Factory produced various speculations by watchers. The object is identified to be a helicopter rotor blade test rig, a critical component in maintaining the KPAF helicopter force.
November 7, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
North Korea has shown an unprecedented level of provocations over the past week. As tensions rise, eyes are also on Punggye-ri, the expected site of the seventh nuclear test. This report provides an updated view of the facility... Based on the latest satellite image obtained on November 7, 2022, a day before the…
October 26, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Significant progress in the construction of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station is observed in recent satellite imagery as part of the dramatic and ongoing modernization plan announced by Kim Jong-un earlier this year. .. This post was last updated on October 31, 2022. Dramatic and ongoing modernization plans at…
October 24, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
For the past two months, a significant increase in activity has been observed at the Sinpo South Shipyard, suggestive of longer-term preparations for North Korea's launching of the new SSB or testing newer, more capable SLBMs... For the past two months, a significant increase in activity has been observed at the…
October 20, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
North Korea's seventh nuclear test is assessed to be carried out in the coming weeks. This report provides an updated view of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility, where the test will almost assuredly take place... There is no new activity at Tunnel No. 3. This is expected because both the…