Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica
SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE TO PREMIUM
  • Home
  • Biographies
  • Animals & Nature
  • History & Society
  • Science & Tech
  • Geography & Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • ProCon
  • Money
  • Games & Quizzes
  • Videos
  • Today in History
  • Dictionary
  • New Articles
Biographies
  • Browse Biographies
Animals & Nature
  • Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
  • Environment
  • Fossils & Geologic Time
  • Insects & Other Invertebrates
  • Mammals
  • Plants
History & Society
  • History
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Politics, Law & Government
  • Society & Social Issues
Science & Tech
  • Health & Medicine
  • Science
  • Technology
Geography & Travel
  • Geography & Travel
Arts & Culture
  • Entertainment & Pop Culture
  • Literature
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Visual Arts
  • Image Galleries
  • Podcasts
  • Summaries
  • Top Questions
  • Lists and Stories
  • Britannica Kids
Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
North Korean nuclear weapons program
  • Introduction & Top Questions
  • Origins and epicenter
  • Nuclear tests
  • Selected ballistic missile tests
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Azimuthal projection map centered on North Korea, showing concentric range circles for North Korean ballistic missiles. The circles illustrate the maximum reach of four missile types: Hwasong-6 (500 km), Hwasong-7 (1,200-1,500 km), Hwasong-16B (5,500 km), and Hwasong-17 (15,000 km), covering regions from East Asia to much of the globe, including the United States and Europe. Ri Chun-Hee announces North Korean nuclear test Map of the Korean Peninsula highlighting North Korea, with labeled locations for Yongbyon, the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, Pyongyang, and the demilitarized zone along the border with South Korea. Neighboring countries China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea are also shown for regional context. Nuclear facilities at Yongbyon
Related Questions
  • When did North Korea conduct its first nuclear test?
  • What is the status of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program?
  • Why does North Korea prioritize its nuclear weapons program?
  • What is the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center?
  • How has North Korea’s ballistic missile testing evolved over time?

North Korean nuclear weapons program: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Ethan Teekah

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Media rearranged.
  • Ethan Teekah
Jul 13, 2026
New article added.
  • Ethan Teekah
Jul 10, 2026
Media rearranged.
  • Ethan Teekah
Jul 10, 2026
View Changes:
Article History
Revised:
By:
A Britannica Newsletter
Today in History Logo
Discover the events that shaped the world in a daily newsletter, straight from our editors.

Thank you for signing up!

By clicking "Sign Up for Free", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Stay Connected
Facebook X YouTube Instagram

  • About Us & Legal Info
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Do Not Sell My Info
©2026 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.