February 12, 2017 – Medium Range Ballistic Missile Launch Missile Pukguksong-2, also known as the KN-15 Flight The missile flew ~ 500 km (310 mi) on a lofted trajectory, reaching a height of ~ 550 km (340 mi). Landed Sea of Japan Status Success What did we learn? This was the first flight test of […]
Fact Sheet: North Korea Nuclear Weapons Activity
Updated May 2022 Number of nuclear weapons Unverified, but recent estimates suggest that North Korea possesses enough fissile material for 20-60 nuclear weapons. The actual number of weapons is likely lower. Nuclear tests October 2006 – Claimed successful. Deemed unsuccessful. On October 16, 2006, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence confirmed that “North Korea conducted […]
Ask an Expert: Dr. Jim Walsh on the North Korean Nuclear Threat
(Click here for a printable version of this interview) In this interview, Center contributor Dr. Jim Walsh analyzes the threat that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program poses to the U.S. and its allies, offers options for a U.S. response, and proposes recommendations to increase the effectiveness of U.S. engagement with South Korea, Japan, China and […]
Fact Sheet: North Korea’s Fifth Nuclear Weapons Test
The Facts: At 9:00am local time (8:30pm EST) on Friday, September 9, the U.S. Geological Survey reported seismic activity of 5.3 magnitude strength originating in North Korea. This is North Korea’s largest test to date. North Korean state media announced that the country had conducted a “nuclear explosion test.” This is North Korea’s fifth nuclear […]
Fact Sheet: Fourth North Korean Nuclear Weapons Test
The Facts: On January 5, the state media of North Korea announced that Pyongyang carried out its first underground test of a hydrogen bomb. This was North Korea’s fourth nuclear weapons test and the first test since 2013. Experts are skeptical of North Korea’s claim that it detonated a hydrogen bomb. The test created an […]
