Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site

Punggye-ri is a nuclear test facility in Kilju County with multiple underground tunnels beneath Mount Mantap designed for controlled nuclear experiments. The site comprises several test shafts and measuring stations carved deep into the rock, spread across a mountainous area.

The site was used for nuclear testing starting in 2006, with six major detonations occurring between that year and 2017. The final explosion in 2017 demonstrated significantly greater explosive power than previous tests.

The presence of this nuclear facility has transformed the local agricultural region into a restricted military zone, altering the lives of nearby communities.

The site remains inaccessible to visitors and can only be observed through satellite monitoring. Information about activities at the location comes primarily from satellite imagery and external measurement data.

After the detonations, clear environmental changes appeared, including vegetation die-off and depletion of underground water sources. These effects became visible in satellite imagery and show the impact of the tests on the surrounding landscape.

Location: Kilju County

GPS coordinates: 41.27778,129.08722

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:02