North Korea's nuclear test site is still operational

The Punggye-ri nuclear test site is located in northeastern North Korea. Photo: Google Earth

Many sources believe that North Korea announced on April 21 that it decided to close the test site because it is currently unusable. But according to 38 North, the site, located northeast of Punggye-ri, can be reactivated when needed.

“North Korea’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where North Korea has conducted six recorded underground explosions, is, to our knowledge, still operating,” the website posted.

North Korea appears to have abandoned one area of ​​the site – the North Gate – after its sixth nuclear test last September, but a “significant new tunnel” was discovered at the West Gate in early March, the site said.

According to 38 North: “New tunneling tapered off in mid-March, but did not stop completely until early April, suggesting either that the tunnel was complete and ready for a new test in the future, or that the slowdown simply reflected ongoing political changes.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with South Korean officials in early March and expressed his commitment to denuclearization. He invited US President Donald Trump to a summit where the issue would be discussed. Trump accepted the offer immediately and the meeting is expected to take place in May or early June.

There is also another potential test tunnel, accessed through the South Gate, which is still suitable for underground nuclear tests, 38 North added.

“In short, there is no basis to conclude that the Punggye-ri nuclear test site is no longer usable for future nuclear testing,” the website said. “There are two other gate areas located on relatively undisturbed rock that could be used for future tests if ordered by Pyongyang. Whether that is an option will depend on whether verifiable agreements can be reached on Pyongyang’s commitment to shutting down the facility.”