Other Names: Namch'ŏn Chemical Complex (南川化學聯合企業所),
P'yŏngsan Uranium Refining Intermediate Plant (平山우라늄鑛石中間工場), Chemical Factory (化學工場), P'yŏngsan Uranium Production Factory (平山우라늄生産工場), Namch'ŏn Joint Chemical Enterprise, Namch'ŏn Joint Chemical Industrial Company
Location: P'yŏnghwa-ri (平和里), P'yŏngsan-kun (平山郡), North Hwanghae Province (黃海北道), North Korea
Size: About 1,500 workers; as of 1999, a capacity to process 200,000 tons of uranium ore into of 290 tons of yellow cake per year
Subordinate to: Namch'ŏn Chemical Complex (南川化學聯合企業所), General Department of Atomic Energy (原子力總局), Cabinet (內閣)
Primary Function: Milling
Description: The P'yŏngsan Uranium Milling Facility reportedly produces yellow cake, and is one of eleven factories operated by the Namch'ŏn Chemical Complex. According to defector Kim Tae Ho, this facility became operational in June 1991. However, there are also reports that it became operational in 1990, or even in the 1980s. [Note: Reports of this facility becoming operational in the 1980s are not reliable.] During a press conference in April 1992, an official from the North Korean Ministry of Atomic Energy Industry confirmed that North Korea was operating uranium milling facilities in Pyŏngsan-kun and Pakch'ŏn-kun. This facility is said to process uranium ore from the P'yŏngsan and Kŭmch'ŏn uranium mines.
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Updated April 2003 |
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Key Sources:
"Pukhanŭi Haekkaebal Kujo Mit Ŭiji," Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, <http://www.kaeri.re.kr >; Kim Pyŏng Ku, et al., Pukhaekkisulch'ongsŏ-I (Taejŏn: Technology Center for Nuclear Control, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, November 1999), <http://www.tcnc.kaeri.re.kr>; Son Sŏng Jin, "Pyongyang Uranium Kongjang Ch'ulshin T'alch'ulja Kim Tae Ho Ssi Chŭng'ŏn," Taehan Maeil, 13 May 1994, p. 5, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; "Sabyŏng Pokmudanch'uk Kŏmt'o: Lee Kukbang Pangwibyŏngjedo Kaesŏndŭng P'oham," Hankuk Ilbo, 13 May 1999, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr >; Mun Ch'ang Jae, "Puk, Yŏngbyŏnwŏnjaro Modu 5 Kae: Wŏnjaryŏk Kanbu," Hankuk Ilbo, 15 April 1992, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr >; Lee Yong U, "'Uranium T'amsa Tŭng Haekkaebal Hyŏl'an'/Pukhansŏ Kwisunhan 3 Myŏng Kijahwoegyŏn," Segye Ilbo, 10 May 1994, p. 26, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; North Korea Yearbook 2002 (Seoul: Yonhap News Agency, 2001) Chapter 8; Kim Yŏng Shik, "Puk Choch'ongryŏn'giŏp Taebubun Choŏp Chungdan Sangt'ae," Segye Ilbo, 11 March 1999, p. 22, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), p. 64; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "North Korea's Nuclear Infrastructure," Jane's Intelligence Review, 1 February 1994, p. 75.