Publications and Analyses

In an attempt to more comprehensively assess nuclear risks on and around the Korean Peninsula, this monthly Report examines the DPRK’s and the ROK’s nuclear and military spheres, as well as activities and policy decisions across main domestic and foreign policy spheres that could impact nuclear risk...

In an attempt to more comprehensively assess nuclear risks on and around the Korean Peninsula, the Report examines the DPRK’s and the ROK’s nuclear and military spheres, as well as activities and policy decisions across main domestic and foreign policy spheres that could impact nuclear risks.

To celebrate the 70th "Victory Day" (Korean War armistice) anniversary, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) staged a military parade on 27 July 2023, which was centered around the DPRK’s nuclear forces.

The Menzingen Verification Experiment conducted on 8 March 2023, was organized by UNIDIR in partnership with the Swiss Armed Forces, Spiez Laboratory, Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security, and ONN. This report describes the procedure and the key results of the experiment.

In an attempt to more comprehensively assess nuclear risks on and around the Korean Peninsula, this monthly Report examines the DPRK’s and the ROK’s nuclear and military spheres, as well as activities and policy decisions across main domestic and foreign policy spheres that could impact nuclear risk...

The DPRK nuclear warheads showcased before 2023 have a maximum diameter of around 600 mm and were likely intended to be delivered by ballistic missiles. The Hwasan-31 nuclear warhead, newly revealed in late March 2023, has a reduced diameter of around 460 mm, suggesting advances in miniaturization. ...

In March 2023, the United Nations Institute of Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) conducted a field experiment, simulating an on-site inspection to verify the absence of nuclear warheads at a military site. As part of the experiment, UNIDIR, in collaboration with Open Nuclear Network (ONN), tested the ap...

On 13 April 2023, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted its first flight test of a solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-18.

In comparison to previous military parades, the parade on 8 February 2023 put a strong focus on the intercontinental-range nuclear strike force: the parade only displayed a few conventional and short-range nuclear-capable weapon systems, but showcased an unprecedented number of 12 Hwasong-17 ICBMs.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea acknowledged in 2020 that there were issues related to the production of the 600 mm calibre multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). The delivery of thirty such MLRS in December 2022 suggests that these problems have been resolved.

The use of a nuclear weapon anywhere in the world would have far-reaching consequences, with effects extending well beyond the immediate area of impact. ONN has previously noted that any further escalation in Ukraine could potentially expand into an increase in military activity or force re-alignmen...

The DPRK claimed to have tested the country’s first large and high-thrust solid-propellant motor on 15 December 2022 at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground. Judging from the stated thrust of 140 tons of force (tf) and purpose, the motor will likely serve as the first stage of a solid-propellant bal...

The DPRK launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on 18 November 2022. The reported apogee and top speed of Mach 22 correspond to an ICBM with a ~15,000 km range. This is the DPRK's fifth apparently successful ICBM launch.

Since late September, the Korean Peninsula has witnessed a new round of escalation of tensions. Coinciding with multiple joint and individual military exercises of the USA, ROK and Japan, the DPRK launched at least 30 ballistic missiles from 25 September to 14 November 2022 and fired artillery shell...