April 13, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
While minor changes have taken place at Sohae Satellite Launching Station over the years, satellite imagery and other sources indicate that the roots of the recently announced modernization and expansion program likely date back to 2019. .. While minor changes have taken place at Sohae Satellite Launching Station over the years, satellite…
March 29, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Recent satellite image shows unusual movement of the 8.24 Yongung experimental ballistic missile submarine (SSBA) within the secure boat basin at North Korea's Sinpo South Shipyard... Left: A February 24, 2022, view of the secure boat basin at the Sinpo South…
February 23, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Victor Cha—
The telescoping crane that appeared in Sinpo South Shipyard's secure boat basin in early January is still present. It is unclear if the telescoping crane is an indicator of continued work on 8.24 Yongung SSBA, new work being undertaken on the infiltration mothership, an ongoing deception program, or a combination of these and other reasons.
February 18, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, Andy Dinville and Jennifer Jun—
LANDSAT 7 and LANDSAT 8 thermal infrared satellite imagery in January and February show that warm water is being discharged from the 5MWe reactor at Yongbyon, confirming that the reactor and its cooling system are in operation. Thermal patterns from the same period suggests that the IRT-DPRK reactor, the Radiochemistry Laboratory, and the centrifuge plant are occupied, but not necessarily operational, and not in a state of shutdown.
February 7, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Located 338-kilometers north of the demilitarized zone and only 25-kilometers from the Chinese border in Chagang Province, the Hoejung-ni missile operating base will, according to informed sources, likely house a regiment-sized unit equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
January 7, 2022, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
North Korea’s SINPO-class experimental ballistic missile submarine suffered a malfunction likely resulting in damage during the October 19, 2021, SLBM test launch... North Korea’s SINPO-class experimental ballistic missile submarine suffered a malfunction likely resulting in damage during…
December 8, 2021, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, Andy Dinville and Jennifer Jun—
Recent thermal infrared imagery of the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center show warm water being discharged from the cooling system of the 5MWe reactor and that the reactor is in operation. During the past several months, water discharge from the reactor and probable steam exhaust from the steam turbine and electric generator hall has been observed in visible satellite imagery. Through thermal imagery, it can be determined that the water that is being discharged is indeed warm water discharge from the reactor's cooling system.
November 15, 2021, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
Over 16 months after its shutdown of the border with China to prevent COVID transmission, North Korea has seen delays in its efforts to re-open commerce with its primary trade partner. The conversion of Uiju Airbase into a disinfection facility started in early 2021, but the most recent satellite imagery as of November 12 shows no signs of being operational, indicating a delay of at least six months from its original opening plans. Smaller-scale disinfection facilities at other crossings appear to be in development.
November 8, 2021, by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun—
The Pyongsan Uranium Concentrate Plant remains the sole verified producer of uranium concentrate in North Korea. As such it represents the foundation upon which the nation’s production of fissile material for nuclear weapons is built. Commercial satellite imagery collected from April through October 2021 continues to demonstrate that despite the absence of any nuclear testing by North Korea since 2017 the Pyongsan Uranium Concentrate Plant remains operational, continues to be maintained, and is producing uranium concentrate (U3O8, “yellowcake”).
