A 38 North exclusive with analysis by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu.

Commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site from April 12 shows continued activity around the North Portal, new activity in the Main Administrative Area, and a few personnel around the site’s Command Center.

At the North Portal, what appears to be a small vehicle or trailer is located immediately outside the entrance; the water flow out of the portal has diminished in the past 10 days; and what may be a small trailer is visible on the road south of the portal. The netting—suspended over probable equipment—south of the portal’s support building remains in place, and there has been no significant dumping of additional material on the portal’s spoil pile.

Figure 1. Vehicles or trailers are parked around the North Portal.

In the courtyards of the Main Administrative Area, are approximately 11 probable tarp-covered pallets of equipment or supplies, a formation of personnel, and several individuals walking about. No activity of significance is seen at the West or South Portals or elsewhere in the facility.

Figure 2. Probable tarp-covered pallets and personnel are seen in the Main Administrative Area.

A few personnel are seen moving around the Command Center Area, guard barracks and security checkpoint.

Figure 3. Small groups of people are seen in the support area of the Command Center.

Figure 4. Individuals are seen walking near the guard barracks and security checkpoint.