North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: No Signs of an Imminent Test

Recent commercial satellite imagery indicates ongoing activity at North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, including the presence of a large number of personnel on site and ongoing activity around the Main Administrative Area. Snow clearing and foot trails around the entrance of Tunnel No. 3 (formerly known as the South Portal) suggest activity continues in and around the tunnel. Some reports suggest the tunnel may have been test-ready since last summer. What is clear is that the tunnel can be easily readied for use if and when a decision to test is made.

tunnel no. 3 (Former South Portal)

There has been little notable activity at Tunnel No. 3 complex in recent months. While access to the test tunnels was restored during the first half of last year, no new support buildings or excavation has been observed since last August. In October 2022, both a long winding shelter—likely to shield test equipment from inclement weather—and a drum support bed for four 55-gallon-size drums were installed. The content of these drums is unknown. In imagery from January 10, snow has been cleared from the entrance, and foot trails are visible, suggesting activity continues in and around the tunnel.

Figure 1. Activity observed in and around tunnel no. 3 complexes.

Image Pleiades NEO © Airbus DS 2022. Image Pleiades NEO © Airbus DS 2023. For media options, please contact [email protected]

Main administrative area

The composition of the Main Administrative Area continues to evolve. One support building that was erected last year has been razed in recent months, suggesting its temporary nature, and new structures have been added or are under construction. Additionally, in imagery from January 10, over 40 personnel are observed in the main courtyard and around the construction area, substantiating the presence of a sizable workforce on site.

Figure 2. New structures and over 40 personnel visible in courtyard of Main Administrative Area.

Image Pleiades NEO © Airbus DS 2022. Image Pleiades NEO © Airbus DS 2023. For media options, please contact [email protected]

tunnel no. 4 (Former West Portal)

There are no indicators yet of efforts to excavate a new entrance for Tunnel No. 4, which differs from other portals according to North Korean diagrams in that it has only a single test chamber. The main service road leading to the tunnel was heavily damaged in early 2022; however, between August 14, 2022 to January 10, 2023, was repaired and widened, restoring access to this area and suggesting an intention to reaccess the tunnel in the future.

Figure 3. Road to Tunnel no. 4 improved between August 14, 2022 and January 10, 2023.

Image Pleiades NEO © Airbus DS 2022. Image Pleiades NEO © Airbus DS 2023. For media options, please contact [email protected]

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