North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: No Change in Status

Commercial satellite imagery from early July indicates that, while the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site has not been abandoned, there is no activity around the test tunnels (portals) or Command Center. Personnel movement around the Main Administrative Support Area has been evident including indications that vegetables are being grown in the greenhouse area. While no activity has been observed around the Command Center, the area continues to be well maintained since the test site was shut down in May 2018.

Figure 1. No activity observed around the portals at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site.

Figure 2. Personnel activity is evident at the Main Administrative Area.

Figure 3. No activity observed at the Command Center, but the area has been well maintained.