MOST of North Korea’s military bases are buried deep underground and in mountains.
Experts says it is the most heavily-fortified country in the world.
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Many died from radiation constructing the Punggye-ri site, where nuclear weapons tests could be carried out
A huge base used to enrich the uranium for nuclear warheads was first spotted last year.
It had been disguised as an aircraft parts factory inside a mountain next to Panghyon air base.
Dr James Hoare, who worked at the British embassy in Pyongyang, said: “Since the Korean War the North are masters at putting things underground.
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A huge base used to enrich the uranium for nuclear warheads was first spotted last yearCredit: Google
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The facility is hidden under mountains near the Chinese border to protect it from air attacksCredit: Google
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North Korea’s military arsenal was paraded through Pyongyang in a military show of strengthCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Dictator Kim Jong-un looked on smiling as his military marched pastCredit: Getty Images
“You may know what is on the surface, and you may have suspicions about other places, but there is no guarantee any strike at its nuclear facilities would take it all out. Then you run the danger of provoking them without disarming them.”
Political prisoners were used to dig 19ft wide tunnels deep into the granite Mantapsan mountain so nuclear weapons tests could be carried out.
Many died from radiation constructing the Punggye-ri site.
The US army has estimated there are 6,000-8,000 subterranean facilities in the country.
Defectors reportedly helped the US map the network. Much of it is under Pyongyang and could be used as a bunker.
The North also has around 84 secret tunnels in mountains bordering the South. They were built to send out 30,000 troops an hour. Some are big enough for tanks. Others have a railway.
The South has blocked four tunnels it found straddling into its territory.
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These launchers supposedly carry Kim Jong-un’s new solid-fuelled rockets
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The blast radius of the missiles and their nuclear capability
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US tanks are taking part in major exercises on the border of North Korea
Missile launchers also overlook the South’s capital Seoul. It is believed Kim has enough non- nuclear shells to destroy the city. He also has chemical weapons stored in unknown locations.
His dad Kim Jong-il built a huge base in Mount Baekdusan near China in case of an attack.
Grandad Kim Il-Sung, the country’s founder, used a forest as his HQ in WW2.
In 1963 he said: “The entire nation must be made into a fortress. We must dig into the ground to protect ourselves.”
Just how big is North Korean threat?
Q. Does North Korea have nuclear weapons?
A.It is thought to have fewer than 20 missiles and four warheads. Each has half the explosive power of US ones in Japan in WW2.
Q.What is different now?
A.The North has been testing missiles which could reach the US. China’s foreign minister has said “conflict could break out at any time”.
Q. Could they really reach Western targets?
A.Not now. But they may have the tech in two or three years.
Q. Could Kim use subs to strike against Britain?
A.A submarine missile launch in 2015 was a flop. Korea’s noisy, diesel subs would also be spotted too easily.
Q. Is the North likely to launch a nuclear attack?
A.No since most experts believe it wouldn’t survive a revenge strike by the more powerful US.
Q. What happens next?
A.National security advisor Lt Gen HR McMaster yesterday said the US and China are working on a range of options on North Korea.
His comments were the first confirmation the powers are working together. The US could make a pre-emptive strike on North missiles.
For more on this story, listen to Paul Ross 9am-10am
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