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Analysis Categories Economics Environment Foreign Affairs Governance Health Human Rights Humanitarian Aid Infrastructure & Energy Legal Military Nuclear Weapons Refugees & Migration Browse Categories All Posts Featured North Korea – Russia Cooperation Tracking North Korea and Russia developments since 2021. North Korean Markets Interactive map and analytic data on 436 markets across the country. A View Inside North Korea An interview project surveying North Koreans living in North Korea. Living History Examining history for security and unification insights. U.S.-DPRK Negotiations and DPRK Provocations Shedding light on 25 years of U.S.-North Korea relations through data. Unification Transparency Index Assessing expert perceptions on Korean unification. Imagery Imagery Analysis Image Maps Databases About Search CSIS Korea Chair @CSISKoreaChair KoreaChair@csis.org A product of the CSIS Korea Chair Bringing TRANSPARENCY and UNDERSTANDING to Korean Unification Analysis Categories Economics Environment Foreign Affairs Governance Health Human Rights Humanitarian Aid Infrastructure & Energy Legal Military Nuclear Weapons Refugees & Migration Browse Categories All Posts Featured North Korea – Russia Cooperation Tracking North Korea and Russia developments since 2021. North Korean Markets Interactive map and analytic data on 436 markets across the country. A View Inside North Korea An interview project surveying North Koreans living in North Korea. Living History Examining history for security and unification insights. U.S.-DPRK Negotiations and DPRK Provocations Shedding light on 25 years of U.S.-North Korea relations through data. Unification Transparency Index Assessing expert perceptions on Korean unification. Imagery Imagery Analysis Image Maps Databases About SEARCH Featured Articles Vertical Engine Test and Ongoing Construction at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station May 6, 2024 , by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. , Victor Cha and Jennifer Jun Satellite imagery indicates that North Korea conducted an unannounced test of a liquid propellant rocket engine from the Yunsong vertical engine test facility during the fourth week of April 2024. Earlier in the month, several sources suggested that North Korea was preparing to conduct another satellite launch. While there were some indications that a launch attempt might occur within the month, it did not. READ MORE Recent Articles May 6, 2024 Vertical Engine Test and Ongoing Construction at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station April 16, 2024 Indications of Delayed Second Reconnaissance Satellite Launch at Sohae April 15, 2024 Ongoing Activity at Russia’s Tikhoretsk Munitions Storage Facility April 10, 2024 Recent Activity Observed at Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility Military Indications of Delayed Second Reconnaissance Satellite Launch at Sohae North Korea has reportedly been preparing to launch its second reconnaissance satellite. Recent satellite imagery suggests that a launch was planned but canceled for unknown reasons. READ MORE Military Ongoing Activity at Russia’s Tikhoretsk Munitions Storage Facility Recent satellite imagery reveals ongoing high-level utilization of Russia’s Tikhoretsk Munitions Storage Facility, where munitions from North Korea are being stored. READ MORE Military Recent Activity Observed at Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility Recent satellite image of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility indicates that North Korea continues to be committed to maintaining the general health of the facility. READ MORE Military Major Munitions Transfers from North Korea to Russia Ammunition supplies have become critical in the Ukraine war. CSIS studied hundreds of commercially available satellite images since August 2023 on the continuing transfer of large quantities of munitions between North Korea and Russia. READ MORE The Ukraine War’s Impact on Korea: Renewed Military Ties Between Russia and DPRK The war in Ukraine has precipitated a renewed relationship between Russia and North Korea. Driven by Russia’s need for ammunition... READ MORE Military Database: North Korean Provocations 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... READ MORE Economics Arms for Energy: War Brings Together Russia and North Korea 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. READ MORE Military A Renewed Axis: Growing Military Cooperation Between North Korea and Russia Key Findings The White House’s acknowledgement this week of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s possible trip later this month to... READ MORE Nuclear Weapons Punggye-ri Declassified: Birth of North Korea’s Northern Nuclear Testing Site” The first open-source analysis of declassified satellite imagery suggests that the construction of North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Testing Facility started as early as 1985 to 1986. READ MORE Economics The Markets: Private Economy and Capitalism in North Korea? The growth of markets and gradual changes in the economy are some the most significant developments to occur in North Korea over the last 20 years. An understanding of these fundamental changes is critical for... READ MORE Military Recent Activity Observed at Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility Satellite image of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility acquired on January 16, 2024, shows activity which indicates continued commitment for maintenance of the construction achieved in 2023. READ MORE Military Activity at Najin Points to Continued DPRK-Russia Arms Transfers Satellite images of Najin Port over the past two months show a high level of activity, suggesting that arms transfer between DPRK and Russia continue. READ MORE Military Sinpo South Shipyard Update: Recent Activity Recent satellite images of Sinpo South Shipyard and Mayang-do Submarine Base suggest preparations for an important event. READ MORE Military Ongoing Arms Transfer Activity at Najin Port Latest satellite imagery of Najin Port indicates that at least six trips transporting munitions have been made by sea between North Korea and Russia. READ MORE Military North Korea Launches New Ballistic Missile Submarine North Korea launched a new ballistic missile submarine, the Hero Kim Kun Ok, at the Sinpo South Shipyard. Satellite imagery analysis before, during, and after the launch details the unveiled and much-anticipated submarine and changes... READ MORE Nuclear Weapons The Transfer of a Russian ICBM to North Korea? Russia’s multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile Topol-M (SS-27 Mod 2) and North Korea’s recently test-fired "Hwasong-18" (right). (Russia MoD and KCNA)... READ MORE Military Punggye-ri Update: No Indications of Test Preparations Recent satellite imagery of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility shows minor activity at the main administration area and no new activity at the tunnels. However, preparations at Tunnel No. 3 are considered to have long... READ MORE Nuclear Weapons Manpo Unha Factory Part 1: A Missing Piece in North Korea’s Nuclear Puzzle 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. READ MORE Military Progress at Sohae Points to Larger Space Launch Vehicles in the Future 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. READ MORE Military Continuing Construction Progress at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station Dramatic and ongoing construction progress continues throughout the eastern and central sections of the Sohae Satellite Launching...