The event was part of a broader project on open-source assessments of the DPRK’s nuclear fuel cycle (NFC) and related weaponisation programme funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). This follows on from a multi-year project assessing the DPRK’s WMD capabilities using open sources and was conducted by VERTIC, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), with assistance from ONN.
The project team convened regional and international experts to exchange insights, discuss key findings and provide feedback that sharpened the accuracy and real-world relevance of the research. As part of this collaborative effort, the workshop showcased presentations of the 2024–2025 open-source assessments of the DPRK’s nuclear programme, setting the stage for informed dialogue and practical recommendations. Topical areas included: the uranium enrichment programme; the Experimental Light Water Reactor (ELWR) at Yongbyon; recent satellite imagery of the Yongbyon nuclear complex; and identified weaponisation facilities and capabilities, primarily those linked to pit production and high explosives.
