Politics

North Korean Nuclear Test Site Allegedly Being Rebuilt

MAR 8 2022·Updated JAN 23 2023

Story

Image credit: Reuters

The Facts

New satellite imagery suggests that North Korea has begun construction on its nuclear test site for the first time since 2018.
The Guardian
The California-based James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) said that there are signs that the construction of a new building and the repair of another are underway at North Korea's Punggye-ri site.
Independent
Parts of the site were destroyed in 2018 following the North's declaration of a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear weapons tests.
Daily Mail
A US intelligence report warned that the country may resume major nuclear weapons tests this year.
Reuters
The renewed construction comes after North Korea has allegedly fired nine ballistic missiles since the beginning of 2022.
Independent

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The speed with which North Korea is testing missiles, and now starting to rebuild its testing site, is worrying. North Korea is taking advantage of a world distracted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine to advance its weapons program. The US, Japan and South Korea need to take measures to maintain stability in Asia.

Eurasiantimes

Establishment-critical narrative

North Korea for years made a goodwill effort towards diplomacy with the West and denuclearization, but all it got in return was snubbed and strong-armed. Sanctions were not lightened, and agreements were continously sabotaged. North Korea has been pushed into a corner by the West.

AntiWar