North Korea’s nuclear program is primarily focused on weapons development rather than civilian energy production. While the country has explored nuclear technology since the 1950s, it does not currently operate nuclear power plants for electricity generation. Instead, its nuclear infrastructure is centered around facilities like the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, which has been used for plutonium production.

North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2003 and conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. Since then, it has developed increasingly sophisticated nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, despite international sanctions and diplomatic efforts to curb its program. The country has conducted six nuclear tests, with the most recent in 2017.

Efforts to denuclearize North Korea have been largely unsuccessful, as the government views nuclear weapons as essential for regime security. In 2022, North Korea updated its nuclear doctrine to include provisions for first-use in certain conflict scenarios. The international community continues to monitor North Korea’s nuclear activities, with concerns about potential future tests and advancements in missile technology. While nuclear energy for civilian use remains largely absent, North Korea’s nuclear capabilities remain a critical issue in global security discussions.

Find out where the country’s nuclear sites are located, and what goes on at each of them, on our interactive map of North Korean nuclear sites.