North Korea: A Nuclear Year in Review and Your Personal VR Tour

In 2016, North Korea’s nuclear
weapons program shifted from developing a nuclear capability in the abstract to
deploying a nuclear-armed force of ballistic missiles. North Korea conducted an
unprecedented number of missile tests and conducted two nuclear
explosions. And a new 3D model of North Korea’s nuclear test site suggests
many more may be on the way.  Learn more in a new article from Center for
Nonproliferation Studies experts, Jeffrey Lewis and Nathan Taylor.

This year was very active
for the North Korean missile and nuclear programs. The country conducted 24
missile launches and two nuclear tests, a record number on both accounts. The
authors constructed a 3D replica of the country’s underground nuclear test site at
Mount Mantap and from this were able to deduce that it is built and well poised
for further testing, which are expected in 2017. The authors were also able to
see the striking similarities between this site and the P-Tunnel at the Nevada
Nuclear Test Site where the U.S. conducted its nuclear tests. 

Want to
Visit North Korea?

Visitors can take a tour of Punggye-ri and Mantap
Mountain here, or make the experience
more realistic by using the virtual reality option (Google Cardboard headset required)! 

Want to
know more about North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs?

NTI and CNS have extensive resources for reporters and analysts
looking for background information on North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile
programs. Check out these links for more information:

• A First Glimpse of North
  Korea’s Elusive ER Scud,
  Analysis by Jeffrey Lewis and 3D model, plus B-Roll
• Overview of North Korea
  WMD Programs and facilities
• Overview of North
  Korea’s nuclear weapons program
• Overview of North
  Korea’s ballistic missile program and 3D models of North
  Korea’s ballistic missiles
• Interactive Map of North
  Korea’s nuclear-related facilities
• 3D Models of Nuclear and
  Missile Facilities
• B-Roll of Nuclear and
  Missile Facilities

B-Roll footage is free to use with the following attribution:
“Created by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies for the
Nuclear Threat Initiative.”