Korea S Nuclear Program 2007 Pt

North Korea's military development for weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical, and biologicalDemocratic People's Republic of KoreaFirst nuclear weapon testLast nuclear testLargest yield test. 50 kilotons of TNT (210 TJ) based on – 250 kilotons of TNT (1,000 TJ) revised estimate based on a tremor of 6.1MTotal tests6Current strategic arsenal20–30 weapons (estimate)Maximum missile range13,000 km (8,100 mi)partyNot a member (withdrew in 2003)By type.By country.Proliferation.Treaties. See also:North Korea showed an interest in developing nuclear weapons since the 1950s. The nuclear program can be traced back to about 1962, when North Korea committed itself to what it called 'all-fortressization', which was the beginning of the hyper-militarized North Korea of today. In 1963, North Korea asked the for help in developing nuclear weapons, but was refused. The Soviet Union agreed to help North Korea develop a peaceful nuclear energy program, including the training of nuclear scientists. Later, China, after its nuclear tests, similarly rejected North Korean requests for help with developing nuclear weapons.Soviet engineers took part in the construction of the and began construction of an IRT-2000 in 1963, which became operational in 1965 and was upgraded to 8 MW in 1974.

1. North Korea Nuclear Program Timeline

In 1979, North Korea began to build a second research reactor in Yongbyon, as well as an ore processing plant and a fabrication plant.North Korea's nuclear weapons program dates back to the 1980s. Focusing on practical uses of and the completion of a nuclear weapon development system, North Korea began to operate facilities for uranium fabrication and conversion, and conducted detonation tests. In 1985 North Korea ratified the NPT but did not include the required safeguards agreement with the until 1992.

In early 1993, while verifying North Korea's initial declaration, the IAEA concluded that there was strong evidence this declaration was incomplete. When North Korea refused the requested special inspection, the IAEA reported its noncompliance to the. In 1993, North Korea announced its withdrawal from the, but suspended that withdrawal before it took effect.Under the 1994, the U.S.

Government agreed to facilitate the supply of two light water reactors to North Korea in exchange for North Korean disarmament. Such reactors are considered 'more proliferation-resistant than North Korea's graphite-moderated reactors', but not 'proliferation proof'. The Agreed Framework was undermined by a Republican Congress during Clinton's presidency, as Congress denounced the agreement and North Korea, imposed new sanctions on North Korea, and hindered the Clinton administration from providing the supplies to North Korea that were part of the Agreed Framework. Implementation of the Agreed Framework foundered, and in 2002 the Agreed Framework fell apart, with each side blaming the other for its failure. By 2002, Pakistan had admitted that North Korea had gained access to Pakistan's nuclear technology in the late 1990s.Based on evidence from Pakistan, Libya, and multiple confessions from North Korea itself, the United States accused North Korea of noncompliance and halted oil shipments; North Korea later claimed its public confession of guilt had been deliberately misconstrued.

By the end of 2002, the Agreed Framework was officially abandoned.In 2003, North Korea again announced its withdrawal from the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty. In 2005, it admitted to having nuclear weapons but vowed to close the nuclear program.On October 9, 2006, North Korea announced it had successfully conducted its. An was detected, its yield was estimated as less than a, and some radioactive output was detected. On January 6, 2007, the North Korean government further confirmed that it had nuclear weapons.On March 17, 2007, North Korea told delegates at international nuclear talks that it was preparing to shut down its main nuclear facility. The agreement was reached following a series of, involving North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia, Japan, and the United States begun in 2003. According to the agreement, a list of its nuclear programs would be submitted and the nuclear facility would be disabled in exchange for fuel aid and normalization talks with the United States and Japan. This was delayed from April due to a dispute with the United States over, but on July 14, inspectors confirmed the shutdown of North Korea's and consequently North Korea began to receive aid.

This agreement fell apart in 2009, following a North Korean satellite launch.In April 2009, reports surfaced that North Korea has become a 'fully fledged nuclear power', an opinion shared by (IAEA) Director General. On May 25, 2009, North Korea conducted a, resulting in an explosion estimated to be between 2 and 7 kilotons. The 2009 test, like the 2006 test, is believed to have occurred at, in the north-eastern part of North Korea. This was found by an occurring at the test site.In February 2012, North Korea announced that it would suspend uranium enrichment at the and not conduct any further tests of nuclear weapons while productive negotiations involving the United States continue.

This agreement included a moratorium on long-range missile tests. Additionally, North Korea agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to monitor operations at Yongbyon. The United States reaffirmed that it had no hostile intent toward the DPRK and was prepared to improve bilateral relationships, and agreed to ship humanitarian food aid to North Korea. The United States called the move 'important, if limited', but said it would proceed cautiously and that talks would resume only after North Korea made steps toward fulfilling its promise. However, after North Korea conducted a long-range missile test in April 2012, the United States decided not to proceed with the food aid.On February 11, 2013, the detected a magnitude 5.1 disturbance, reported to be a.

North Korea has officially reported it as a successful nuclear test with a lighter warhead that delivers more force than before, but has not revealed the exact yield. Multiple South Korean sources estimate the yield at 6–9 kilotons, while the German estimates the yield at 40 kilotons. However, the German estimate has since been revised to a yield equivalent of 14 kt when they published their estimations in January 2016.On January 6, 2016 in Korea, the detected a magnitude 5.1 seismic disturbance, reported to be a. North Korea claimed that this test involved a. This claim has not been verified.

As described below, a 'hydrogen bomb' could mean one of several degrees of weapon, ranging from enhanced fission devices to true thermonuclear weapons.Within hours, many nations and organizations had condemned the test. Analysts do not believe that a hydrogen bomb was detonated. Seismic data collected so far suggests a 6–9 kiloton yield and that magnitude is not consistent with the power that would be generated by a hydrogen bomb explosion. 'What we're speculating is they tried to do a boosted nuclear device, which is an atomic bomb that has a little bit of hydrogen, an isotope in it called,' said, president of the global security firm. The German source which estimates for all the North Korea's past nuclear test has instead made an initial estimation of 14 kt, which is about the same (revised) yield as its previous nuclear test in 2013.

However, the yield estimation for January 2016 nuclear test was revised to 10 kt in the subsequent nuclear test from North Korea.On February 7, 2016, roughly a month after the alleged hydrogen bomb test, North Korea claimed to have put a into around the Earth. Had warned the North to not launch the rocket, and if it did and the rocket violated Japanese territory, it would be shot down. Nevertheless, North Korea launched the rocket anyway, claiming the satellite was purely intended for peaceful, scientific purposes. Several nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, have criticized the launch, and despite North Korean claims that the rocket was for peaceful purposes, it has been heavily criticized as an attempt to perform an test under the guise of a peaceful satellite launch.

China also criticized the launch, however urged 'the relevant parties' to 'refrain from taking actions that may further escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula'.A fifth nuclear test occurred on September 9, 2016. This test yield is considered the highest among all five tests thus far, surpassing its previous record in 2013. The South Korean government said that the yield was about 10 kt despite other sources suggesting a 20 to 30 kt yield. The same German source which has made estimation of all North Korea's previous nuclear tests suggested an estimation of a 25 kiloton yield.Other nations and the have responded to North Korea's ongoing missile and nuclear development with a variety of sanctions; on March 2, 2016, the voted to impose additional.In 2017, North Korea test-launched two ICBMs, the second of which had sufficient range to reach the continental United States., the country announced a further 'perfect' hydrogen bomb test.Nuclear weapons. Military parade in Pyongyang, 2015The claims that the 'U.S. Has long posed nuclear threats to the DPRK' and 'the U.S. Was seized by a foolish ambition to bring down the DPRK', so it 'needed a countermeasure'.

North Korea has been suspected of maintaining a clandestine nuclear weapons development program since the early 1980s, when it constructed a -producing at. Various diplomatic means have been used by the international community to attempt to limit North Korea's nuclear program to peaceful power generation and to encourage North Korea to participate in international treaties.In May 1992, the 's (IAEA) first inspection in North Korea uncovered discrepancies suggesting that the country had reprocessed more plutonium than declared. IAEA requested access to additional information and access to two nuclear waste sites at Yongbyon. North Korea rejected the IAEA request and announced on March 12, 1993, an intention to withdraw from the NPT.In 1994, North Korea pledged, under the with the United States, to freeze its plutonium programs and dismantle all its nuclear weapons programs in return for the normalization of diplomatic relations and several kinds of assistance, including resources for alternative energy supplies.By 2002, the United States believed North Korea was pursuing both technology and plutonium reprocessing technologies in defiance of the Agreed Framework. North Korea reportedly told American diplomats in private that they were in possession of nuclear weapons, citing American failures to uphold their own end of the Agreed Framework as a motivating force. North Korea later 'clarified' that it did not possess weapons yet, but that it had 'a right' to possess them, despite the Agreed Framework.

North Korea Nuclear Program Timeline

In late 2002 and early 2003, North Korea began to take steps to eject inspectors while re-routing spent to be used for plutonium reprocessing for weapons purposes. As late as the end of 2003, North Korea claimed that it would freeze its nuclear program in exchange for additional American concessions, but a final agreement was not reached. North Korea withdrew from the in 2003. See also:On October 9, 2006, North Korea demonstrated its nuclear capabilities with its, detonating a plutonium based device with an estimated yield of 0.2–1. The test was conducted at in, and U.S. Intelligence officials later announced that analysis of radioactive debris in air samples collected a few days after the test confirmed that the blast had taken place.

The UN Security Council condemned the test and announced the imposition of. Aftermath of 2006 nuclear test On January 6, 2007, the North Korean government further confirmed that it had nuclear weapons.In February 2007, following the disarmament process, Pyongyang agreed to shut down its main nuclear reactor. On October 8, 2008, inspectors were forbidden by the North Korean government to conduct further inspections of the site.

See also:On April 25, 2009, the North Korean government announced the country's nuclear facilities had been reactivated, and that spent fuel reprocessing for arms-grade plutonium has been restored.On May 25, 2009, North Korea conducted its. Geological Survey calculated its origin in proximity of the site of the first nuclear test. The test was more powerful than the previous test, estimated at 2 to 7 kilotons. The same day, a successful short range missile test was also conducted.

2010 In May 2010, the North Korean government claimed to have successfully performed. Although the claim was largely dismissed at the time, a 2012 analysis of radioisotopes suggested that North Korea may have performed two nuclear tests involving fusion. The paper was met with skepticism, as subsequent analysis of seismic data suggested no tests took place. In 2014, a study using seismic data found evidence for nuclear testing but a 2016 study once again dismissed claims of nuclear testing, suggesting that the seismic data was indicative of a minor earthquake. North Korea's ballistic missileOn February 12, monitors in Asia picked up unusual seismic activity at a North Korean facility at 11:57 (02:57 GMT), later determined to be an artificial quake with an initial 4.9 (later revised to 5.1). The Korean Central News Agency subsequently said that the country had detonated a miniaturized nuclear device with 'greater explosive force' in an underground test.

According to the Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, the estimated yield was 7.7–7.8 kilotons. Other researchers estimate the yield to have been 12.2 ± 3.8 kilotons. December 2015 hydrogen bomb claim In December 2015, suggested that the country had the capacity to launch a, a device of considerably more power than conventional used in previous tests. The remark was met with skepticism from the and from South Korean officials. 2016 First claimed North Korean hydrogen bomb test. See also:On January 6, after reports of a magnitude 5.1 earthquake originating in northeast North Korea at 10:00:01, the country's regime released statements that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. Whether this was in fact a hydrogen bomb has yet to be proven.

Experts have cast doubt on this claim. A South Korean spy expert suggested that it may have been an atomic bomb and not a hydrogen bomb. Experts in several countries, including South Korea have expressed doubts about the claimed technology because of the relatively small size of the explosion. Senior Defense Analyst Bruce W. Bennett of research organization RAND told the BBC that '.

Kim Jong-un is either lying, saying they did a hydrogen test when they didn't, they just used a little bit more efficient fission weapon – or the hydrogen part of the test really didn't work very well or the fission part didn't work very well.' Aftermath of claimed North Korean hydrogen bomb test. With what North Korea claims is a miniaturized silver spherical nuclear bomb, at a missile factory in early 2016.On March 9, 2016, North Korea released a video of Kim Jong Un visiting a missile factory. The international community was skeptical, Karl Dewey said that 'It is possible that the silver sphere is a simple atomic bomb. But it is not a hydrogen bomb.' Furthermore, he said 'a hydrogen bomb would not only be in two parts but also be a different shape'.Nations across the world, as well as and the UN, spoke out against the tests as destabilizing, as a danger to international security and as a breach of UN Security Council resolutions. China, one of North Korea's allies, also denounced the test.

First nuclear warhead test explosion. See also:On September 9, 2016, a 5.3 seismic tremor was detected by seismograms in surrounding countries, after which North Korea confirmed it conducted another nuclear test. North Korea stated that this test has enabled them to confirm that its warhead can be mounted to a missile and to verify the warhead's power. It was previously doubted that North Korea could pair the nuclear warhead and missile together, but South Korean experts started to believe that North Korea can accomplish this goal within a few years after the September 9 nuclear test.

See also:, andOn February 18, 2017, China announced that it was suspending all imports of coal from North Korea as part of its effort to enact United Nations Security Council sanctions aimed at stopping the country's nuclear weapons and ballistic-missile program.On March 6, 2017, North Korea launched four ballistic missiles from the region towards the Sea of Japan. The launch was condemned by the United Nations as well as South Korea. The move prompted US Secretary of State to embark on a diplomatic mission ten days later to Japan, South Korea and China, in an effort to address the heightened international tension in the region. On April 13, 2017, White House representative Nick Rivero was quoted saying the United States was 'very close' to engaging in some sort of retaliation towards North Korea. President Trump commented on North Korea by saying they will fight the war on terrorism no matter the cost.On April 15, 2017, at the yearly major public holiday also known in the country as the, North Korea staged a massive military parade to commemorate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il-sung, the country's founder and grandfather of current leader, Kim Jong-un. The parade took place amid hot speculation in the United States, Japan, and South Korea that the country would also potentially test a sixth nuclear device, but failed to do so. The parade did publicly display, for the first time, two new intercontinental ballistic missile-sized canisters as well as submarine-launched ballistic missiles and a land-based version of the same.On April 16, 2017, hours after the military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea attempted to launch a ballistic missile from a site near the port of, on the country's east coast.

The missile exploded seconds after launch.Later that month, after a visit to Washington by the top Chinese leader, the US State Department announced that North Korea was likely to face economic sanctions from China if it conducted any further tests.On April 28, 2017, North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile over, in North Korean territory. It blew up shortly after take-off at an altitude of approximately 70 km (44 mi).On July 4, 2017, North Korea launched Hwasong-14 from airfield, near Kusong, in a lofted trajectory it claims lasted 39 minutes for 930 km (578 mi), landing in the waters of the Japanese exclusive economic zone. Said the missile was aloft for 37 minutes, meaning that in a standard trajectory it could have reached all of Alaska, a distance of 6,690 km (4,160 mi).By targeting the deep waters in the Sea of Japan, North Korea was ensuring that American or Japanese divers would encounter difficulties when attempting to recover Hwasong-14's engine. Equally, North Korea was not attempting to recover any re-entry debris either, which South Korea pointed out is an indication that this first launch was of an ICBM which was far from ready for combat.

As of July 2017, the U.S. Estimated that North Korea would have a reliable nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by early 2018. On July 28, North Korea launched a second, apparently more advanced, ICBM, with altitude around 3,700 km (2,300 mi), that traveled 1,000 km (620 mi) down range; analysts estimated that it was capable of reaching the continental United States.Aerospace engineer and weapons analyst Dr. John Schilling estimates the current accuracy of the North's Hwasong-14 as poor, at the mooted ranges which threaten US cities. Michael Elleman points out that July 28, 2017 missile re-entry vehicle broke up on re-entry; further testing would be required.On August 8, 2017 The Washington Post reported that the, in a confidential assessment, stated that North Korea has sufficiently miniaturized a nuclear warhead to fit inside one of its long-range missiles. On August 12 The Diplomat reported that the, in a confidential assessment from early August, has concluded that the reentry vehicle in the July 28 test of did not survive atmospheric reentry due to apogee of 3,700 kilometers which caused structural stresses in excess of what an ICBM would have had in minimum energy trajectory.

The CIA also concluded that North Korean reentry vehicle is likely advanced enough that it would likely survive reentry under normal minimum energy trajectory.On September 3, 2017, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a thermonuclear bomb, also known as a hydrogen bomb. Corresponding seismic activity similar to an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 was reported by the, making the blast around 10 times more powerful than previous detonations by the country. Later the bomb yield was estimated to be 250 kilotons, based on further study of the seismic data. The test was reported to be 'a perfect success' by North Korean authorities.estimates the explosive payload of the North Korean type bomb to weigh between 255 and 360 kilograms (562 and 794 lb).On November 20, 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that North Korea was re-listed by the as a.

Japan and South Korea welcomed the move as a method of increasing pressure on North Korea to negotiate about denuclearization.On November 28, 2017, North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in the first such launch from the country in more than two months. The missile, believed by the U.S. Military to be an ICBM, was launched from and flew roughly 1,000 km (620 mi) before landing in the.After North Korea claimed that the missile was capable of 'carrying a super-heavy nuclear warhead and hitting the whole mainland of the U.S.'

, Kim-Jong-Un announced that they had 'finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force', putting them in a position of strength to push the United States into talks. Fissile material production Plutonium facilities.

5 MWe experimental reactor atNorth Korea's plutonium-based are located at the, about 90 km north of. One Soviet-supplied IRT-2000 research reactor, completed in 1967. Uranium irradiated in this reactor was used in North Korea's first plutonium separation experiments in 1975. Nevertheless, the primary purpose of the reactor is not to produce plutonium and North Korea has had trouble acquiring enough fuel for constant operation. The estimated that this reactor could have been used to produce up to 1–2 kg of plutonium, though the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee said that the amount was no more than a few hundred grams. A newer nuclear reactor with a capacity of 5.

This gas-graphite moderated type reactor is North Korea's main reactor, where practically all of its plutonium has been produced. A full core consists of 8,000 fuel rods and can yield a maximum of 27–29 kg of plutonium if left in the reactor for optimal burnup.

The North Korean Plutonium Stock, Mid-2006, is estimated to be able to produce 0.9 grams of plutonium per thermal megawatt every day of its operation. The material required to make a single bomb is approximately four to eight kilograms.

Often, North Korea has unloaded the reactor before reaching the maximum burnup level. There are three known cores which were unloaded in 1994 (under IAEA supervision in accordance with the ), 2005, and 2007.In 1989, the 5 MWe reactor was shut down for a period of seventy to a hundred days.

In this time it is estimated that up to fifteen kilograms of plutonium could have been extracted. In 1994, North Korea unloaded its reactors again.

The IAEA had these under full surveillance until later being denied the ability to observe North Korean power plants. Under normal operation, the reactor can produce about 6 kg of plutonium per year although the reactor would need to be shut down and the fuel rods extracted to begin the plutonium separation process. Hence, plutonium separation stages alternate with plutonium production stages. Reprocessing (also known as separation) is known to have taken place in 2003 for the first core and 2005 for the second core.

Two reactors (50 and 200 MWe), under construction at Yongbyon. If completed, 50 MWe reactor would be capable of producing 60 kg of plutonium per year, enough for approximately 10 weapons and 200 MWe reactor 220 kg of plutonium annually, enough for approximately 40 weapons. Construction was halted in 1994 about a year from completion in accord with the, and by 2004 the structures and pipework had deteriorated badly. facility that recovers and from using the process. Based on extended Eurochemic reprocessing plant design at the in Belgium.

In 1994 its activity was frozen in accord with the. On April 25, 2009, North Korean news agency KCNA, reported the resumption of reprocessing of spent fuel to recover plutonium.On March 12, 1993, North Korea said that it planned to withdraw from the (NPT) and refused to allow IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear sites. By 1994, the United States believed that North Korea had enough reprocessed plutonium to produce about 10 bombs with the amount of plutonium increasing. Faced with diplomatic pressure after and the threat of American military against the reactor, North Korea agreed to dismantle its plutonium program as part of the in which South Korea and the United States would provide North Korea with and until those reactors could be completed.Because the light water reactors would require to be imported from outside North Korea, the amount of reactor fuel and waste could be more easily tracked, making it more difficult to divert nuclear waste to be reprocessed into plutonium. However, the Agreed Framework was mired in difficulties, with each side blaming the other for the delays in implementation; as a result, the light water reactors were never finished. In late 2002, after fuel aid was suspended, North Korea returned to using its old reactors.In 2006, there were eight sites identified as potential test explosion sites for current (and future) tests according to a statement by the South Korean Parliament. These sites are distinguished from a number of other nuclear materials production facilities in that they are thought to be most closely identified with a military, or potentially military purpose:1.

Hamgyong Bukdo (North Hamgyong) Province – two sites:. Chungjinsi – Nuclear fuel storage site, military base and unidentified underground facility. Kiljugun – Extensive military buildup with motorized troop formations and construction of new advanced underground facility – Site of May 25, 2009, Nuclear Test.

Phunggyere – Site of October 9, 2006, Nuclear Test2. Chagangdo Province – one site: Kanggyesi – Production center of North Korea's advanced equipment and munitions since 1956. Also, extensive intelligence of highly advanced underground facility.3. Pyongan Bukdo (North Pyongan) Province – four sites:.

Yongbyonsi – 2 Sites – Location of Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center, and the facility's Experimental Test Explosion facility and two unidentified underground facilities. In addition, there is a gas-graphite reactor, HE test site, nuclear fuel fabrication site, nuclear waste storage site. Kusungsi – Between 1997 and September 2002, approximately 70 test explosions of North Korean munitions took place. Also, existence of underground facility. Taechongun – 200MWe Nuclear Energy Plant construction site. Location of unidentified underground facility and nuclear arms/energy related facilities known to exist4.

Pyongan Namdo (South Pyongan) Province – one site: Pyongsungsi – Location of and extensive underground facility whose purpose is not known.Highly enriched uranium program North Korea possesses uranium mines containing an estimated 4 million tons of high-grade uranium ore.Prime minister of Pakistan allegedly, through Pakistan's former top scientist, supplied key data, stored on CDs, on uranium enrichment and information to North Korea in exchange for around 1990–1996, according to U.S. President and Prime minister acknowledged in 2005 that Khan had provided and their designs to North Korea. In May 2008, Khan, who had previously confessed to supplying the data on his own initiative, retracted his confession, claiming that the Pakistan Government forced him to be a 'scapegoat'.

He also claimed that North Korea's nuclear program was well advanced before his visits to North Korea.Highly enriched uranium (HEU) program was publicized in October 2002 when the United States asked North Korean officials about the program. Under the Agreed Framework, North Korea explicitly agreed to freeze plutonium programs (specifically, its 'graphite moderated reactors and related facilities'). The agreement also committed North Korea to implement the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, in which both Koreas committed not to have enrichment or reprocessing facilities. The United States argued North Korea violated its commitment not to have enrichment facilities.In December 2002, claiming North Korean non-compliance, the United States persuaded the KEDO Board to suspend fuel oil shipments, which led to the end of the Agreed Framework.

North Korea responded by announcing plans to reactivate a dormant nuclear fuel processing program and power plant north of Pyongyang. See also: and History In the 1960s, DPRK first received shipments of short-range ballistic missiles from its main ally, the Soviet Union. The first weapons of this kind to be delivered were the tactical. In the late 1970s or early 1980s, the DPRK received several longer range -B missiles from Egypt (which in turn received those missiles from the, Bulgaria and Poland).

The USSR had refused to supply Scuds to North Korea, but North Korea has produced missiles based on its design. A local production basis was established, and the first modified copy was named. With time, more advanced types of missiles were developed. Eventually North Korea equipped itself with, capable of reaching Japan. In the 1990s, North Korea sold medium-sized nuclear capable missiles to Pakistan in a deal facilitated by China.

Status North Korea's ability to deliver weapons of mass destruction to a hypothetical target is somewhat limited by its missile technology. In 2005, North Korea's total range with its missiles was estimated as 900 km with a 1,000 kg payload. That is enough to reach South Korea, and parts of Japan, Russia, and China.

The is a North Korean designed with range capabilities of up to 2,490 km (1,550 mi), and could carry a nuclear warhead.In an online interview published in 2006, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's analyst Hideshi Takesada argued that North Korea's desire of unification is similar to, and warned of the possibility of North Korea's compulsory merger with South Korea by threats of nuclear weapons, taking advantage of any possible decrease in the U.S. Military presence in South Korea, after North Korea deploys several hundred mobile ICBMs aimed at the United States. In 2016, Israeli analyst said that the missile program had demonstrated 'remarkable achievements'. Operational delivery systems. Estimated maximum range of someThere is evidence that North Korea has been able to miniaturize a nuclear warhead for use on a ballistic missile. Whether North Korea has technology to protect their missiles upon re-entry is unknown.

Some analysts suggest North Korea's new missiles are fakes. Various North Korean rocket tests continued into the 2010s, for example in, in, and in 2016. North Korea performed no tests of medium-range missiles sufficiently powerful to reach Japan in 2015, but South Korea's news agency believes that at least one missile fired during North Korea's March 2016 missile tests is likely a medium-range. North Korea appeared to launch a missile test from a submarine on April 23, 2016; while the missile only traveled 30 km, one U.S. Analyst noted that 'North Korea's sub launch capability has gone from a joke to something very serious'. An August 2016 North Korean missile test of a Rodong missile that flew 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) landed about 250 kilometres (160 mi) west of Japan's, in international waters but inside Japan's, prompting Japan to condemn the 'unforgivable act of violence toward Japan's security'.As of 2016, North Korea is known to have approximately 300 Rodong missiles whose maximum range is 1,300 km (800 mi).

Operational or successfully tested. – initial Scud modification. Road-mobile, liquid-fueled missile, with an estimated range of 330 km. It has been tested successfully.

It is believed that North Korea has deployed some 150–200 such missiles on mobile launchers. – later Scud modification. Similar to the Hwasong-5, yet with an increased range (550–700 km) and a smaller warhead (600–750 kg).

Apparently this is the most widely deployed North Korean missile, with at least 400 missiles in use. – larger and more advanced Scud modification. Liquid-fueled, road-mobile missile with a 650 kg warhead. First production variants had inertial guidance, later variants featured guidance, which improves CEP accuracy to 190–250 m. Range is estimated to be between 1,300 and 1,600 km.

is also known as Scud-ER in rest of the world is further development of with range of (1000–1000+ km) and is capable of hitting Japan. – believed to be a modified copy of the Soviet. Originally believed to have been tested as the first or second stage of, but debris analysis showed that the Unha used older technology than it is believed the Hwasong-10 uses.

Also known under the names Nodong-B, Taepodong-X, Musudan and BM25, predicted to have a range of 2,500–4,000 km. A DoD report puts BM25 strength at fewer than 50 launchers. – a short-range, solid-fueled, highly accurate mobile missile, modified copy of the Soviet OTR-21. Unknown number in service, apparently deployed either in the late 1990s or early 2000s (decade). – a long-range, solid-fueled, SLBM. Also called the KN-11 by the Defense Department. Possibly derived from the Chinese SLBM.

– a long-range, land based development of the solid fueled Pukkuksong-1. Also known as the KN-15. – a medium-range, liquid-fueled, mobile missile.

First tested in May 2017. Also known as KN-17 outside of Korea, South Korean experts estimate range of 5000 to 6000 km based on successful test conducted in May. – Also known as the KN-20, a long-range, road transportable, tested on July 4 and 29, 2017, estimated range is 6,700–10,000 km (4,200–6,200 mi) John Schilling estimates the current accuracy of the North's Hwasong-14 as poor at the mooted ranges which threaten US cities (which would require more testing to prove its accuracy). Michael Elleman has pointed out that the NHK video which captured the descent of the reentry vehicle (RV) shows its failure to survive reentry.

If the RV had survived reentry, the video would have shown a bright image all the way to impact in the sea. However a recent CIA assessment notes that North Korea's ICBM reentry vehicles would likely perform adequately if flown on a normal trajectory to continental U.S. Targets. – 13,000 km range, successfully tested on November 28, 2017.Untested. – Road-mobile. Also called the Hwasong-13 (HS-13). Maximum range 5,500 km (3,400 miles).

The US Defense Department estimates at least 6 KN-08 launchers are in deployment. A modified version, the KN-14, was unveiled at a parade marking the 70th anniversary of the. The missile development was halted due to engine problems.Exports related to ballistic missile technology In April 2009, the United Nations named the (KOMID) as North Korea's primary arms dealer and main exporter of equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons. The UN lists KOMID as being based in the Central District, Pyongyang. However, it also has offices in Beijing and sales offices worldwide which facilitate weapons sales and seek new customers for North Korean weapons.KOMID has sold missile technology to Iran and has done deals for missile related technology with the Taiwanese. KOMID has also been responsible for the sale of equipment, including missile technologies, gunboats, and multiple rocket artilleries, worth a total of over $100 million, to Africa, South America, and the Middle East.North Korea's military has also used a company called Hap Heng to sell weapons overseas.

Hap Heng was based in Macau in the 1990s to handle sales of weapons and missile and nuclear technology to nations such as Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan's medium-range ballistic missile, the Ghauri, is considered to be a copy of North Korea's Rodong 1.

In 1999, intelligence sources claim that North Korea had sold missile components to Iran. Listed directors of Hap Heng include Kim Song in and Ko Myong Hun. Ko Myong Hun is now a listed diplomat in Beijing and may be involved in the work of KOMID.A UN Security Council sanctions committee report stated that North Korea operates an international smuggling network for nuclear and ballistic missile technology, including to Myanmar (Burma), Syria, and Iran.

Export partners Several countries have bought North Korean ballistic missiles or have received assistance from North Korea to establish local missile production.Egypt Egypt has received technologies and assistance for manufacture of both the and Hwasong-6, and may have provided guidance systems or information on longer-range missiles to North Korea from the program. Iran Iran was one of the first countries to buy North Korean missiles. Iran has established local production for the Hwasong-5 , Hwasong-6 and the Rodong-1. Iran also possesses 19 land-based missiles, according to a, Iran designated the Musudan as. This nuclear-capable missile is currently under development and failed its two known flight tests.

Pakistan North Korean entities continued to provide assistance to Pakistan's ballistic missile program during the first half of 1999 in return for nuclear weapons technology. Such assistance was critical to 's efforts to produce ballistic missiles. In April 1998, Pakistan flight-tested the Ghauri MRBM, which is based on North Korea's Nodong missile. Also in April 1998, the United States imposed sanctions against Pakistani and North Korean entities for their role in transferring Missile Technology Control Regime Category I ballistic missile-related technology.

Syria Syria originally obtained the from North Korea. North Korea may have assisted Syria in development of the and/or the. As of 2013, Syria relies on foreign assistance from multiple countries, including North Korea, for advanced missile components and technologies. In 2018, a United Nations report alleged that North Korea had been sending technicians and material to Syria to assist in its chemical weapons program, including acid-resistant tiles, valves, and thermometers. United Arab Emirates 25 Hwasong-5s were purchased from North Korea in 1989.

The were not satisfied with the quality of the missiles, and they were kept in storage. Vietnam Vietnam reportedly ordered Hwasong-5/6 missiles in 1998–99, but it is unclear if this deal was fulfilled. Yemen Yemen is known to have bought missiles from the DPRK in the 1990s—a total of 15 missiles, conventional warheads and fuel oxidizer. Former export partners Libya Libya during the rule of had been known to receive technological assistance, blueprints and missile parts from North Korea.

Rejection by a potential export partner Nigeria In January 2004, the Nigerian government announced that North Korea had agreed to sell its missile technology, but a month later Nigeria rejected the agreement under U.S. International responses. President, North Korean Chairman, and South Korean President in the demilitarized zone in 2019In the 1990s, the United States negotiated the to freeze North Korea's nuclear weapons program while pursuing the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. This broke down when North Korea's clandestine uranium enrichment program came to light in 2002, after which China convened the to negotiate a step-by-step process to denuclearization. The Six-party talks stalled after multiple North Korean nuclear and missile tests, leading to increased international, including a series of imposed by the. In 2018, Presidents of South Korea and of the United States held a series of summits with Kim Jong-un which led to declarations in favor of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.International Inspections On October 31, 2018, lawmaker Kim Min-ki of South Korea's ruling issued a statement revealing that officials from South Korea's National Intelligence Service had observed several of North Korea's nuclear and missile test sites and that they were now ready for the upcoming international inspections.

Kim also stated that the now inactive North Korean and the Satellite launching ground were included in these observations. The visit by the intelligence officials was in tandem with the September 2018 Pyongyang Agreement, which saw North Korean leader Kim Jung-Un agree to close Sohae and allow international experts to observe the dismantling of the missile engine testing site and a launch pad. The international experts will also be allowed to witness the dismantling of other North Korean nuclear and missile test sites as well. Yongbyon, the main nuclear facility in North Korea, has also been inactive during the past year as well, but has not yet completely closed. See also.