North Korea

Country Spotlight

The world’s newest nuclear weapon possessing state, North Korea withdrew from the NPT in 2003 and conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. It has developed sophisticated nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles despite international condemnation, and diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the country have thus far been unsuccessful.

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Region East Asia and the Pacific

~50 Current nuclear warhead stockpile estimates

6 Nuclear tests conducted, most recently in 2017

15,000 Kilometers estimated maximum range of Hwasong-18 ICBM

~60-80 Kilograms estimated plutonium inventory

Nuclear

Tested likely thermonuclear device in 2017
Agreed to a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile testing in 2018; resumed long-range missile tests in 2020
Produces enriched uranium and weapons-grade plutonium
Updated their nuclear doctrine in September 2022, which included provisions for situations in which they would use nuclear weapons first in a conflict

Biological

Assessments of capabilities and intent are speculative and vary widely
Accused by U.S. and South Korea of pursuing biological weapons despite treaty commitments
Presumed capability to produce anthrax, smallpox, and plague
Is suspected to be using CRISPR technology to genetically engineer biological products

Missile

Variety of land-based ballistic and cruise missiles; recent tests of ICBMs and short- and medium-range, solid-fueled missiles
Tested first ICBM, the Hwasong-15, on 24 March 2017
Exporter of ballistic missile technology to countries such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria
Has conducted over 300 missile tests since 1984

Chemical

Denies chemical weapons possession, but refuses to accede to Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
South Korea estimates North Korea's stockpile at 2,500 – 5,000 tons of chemical weapons agents
Weapons program has concentrated on acquiring mustard, phosgene, sarin, and VX
Believed to use VX in the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of Kim Jong Un, in February 2017

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

See all Treaties & Regimes

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The BTWC mandates the elimination of existing biological weapons and prohibits developing, stockpiling, or using biological and toxin weapons.

North Korea

See North Korea's performance in

Nuclear

Biological

Missile

Chemical

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

Facilities

Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility

Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground

Sohae Satellite Launching Station

Kim Il Sung University

Kumcheon Scud Missile Base

Sangnam-ri Missile Base

Yŏngjŏ-ri Missile Base

Hamheung University of Chemical Industry

Yongbyon High-Explosive Test Site

Yongdeok-dong High-Explosive Test Site

MGC-20 Cyclotron

Taecheon 200MWe Nuclear Reactor

Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center

Hagap Underground Suspected Nuclear Facility

Geumchang-ri Underground Facility

Geumho-Jigu Light Water Reactor Site

Atomic Energy Research Institute

Pakch’ŏn Uranium Mine

P’yŏngsan Uranium Milling Facility

Kusŏng Machine Tool Factory

Pyongyang Semiconductor Factory

Pukchung Machine Complex

Sŭngni Automobile Factory

No. Seven Factory

Chiha-ri Missile Base

January 18th Machine Factory

Kum Song Tractor Factory

No. 26 Factory

Okp’yŏng-dong Missile Base

Sakkabbong Missile Base

Shin’o-ri Missile Base

Yongnim-ŭp Missile Base

No. 125 Factory

Analysis

on North Korea

Nuclear Disarmament North Korea

The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database

North Korea Submarine Capabilities

Extensive resources on nuclear policy, biological threats, radiological security, cyber threats and more.

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