38 North: "Typhoon Damage at Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site in North Korea, Roads and Bridges Repaired"

The roads and bridges at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, which were damaged by the typhoon, have been restored.

The roadways and bridges at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea, which were damaged by successive typhoons this year, have completed restoration work, according to 38 North, a U.S.-based North Korea-focused online media outlet, on the 24th (local time).

According to 38 North, the road leading to the main tunnels within the nuclear test site has been restored, allowing access for vehicles and people. The pedestrian bridge, which was the only access route to the northern tunnel, has also regained its former appearance.

The road connecting to the eastern tunnel is still accessible only on foot, but the roads to the western and southern tunnels have been restored enough to allow vehicle entry. Buildings within the administrative support facility area appear to have sustained no significant damage.

Earlier in September, 38 North reported based on satellite images of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site that the river flowing around the site had swollen, severely eroding the riverbed and widening the river, which caused damage to the roads and bridges within the test site.

There were four tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Aside from one tunnel closed after the first nuclear test, the remaining three were demolished in May 2018 in a demolition event attended by foreign journalists ahead of the first North Korea-U.S. summit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.