Location: Probably in Kwahak-dong (科學洞) or Kwahak-2-dong (科學2洞), Ŭnjŏng-kuyŏk (恩情區域), Pyongyang (平壤市), North Korea [Note: In 1996, part of P'yŏngsŏng City (平城市) was incorporated into Pyongyang. This Section was named Ŭnjŏng-kuyŏk, and this administrative district includes areas where the Academy of Sciences and Other institutes are located. However, many sources still mistakingly identify the location of organizations and institutes as P'yŏngsŏng].
Telephone number: +850-2-422-5042
Subordinate to: Academy of Sciences (科學院), Cabinet (內閣) [Note: North Korea's Academy of Sciences (科學院) was founded in December 1952. The Academy's name was officially changed to "National Academy of Sciences (國家科學院)" in 1994, but the name was changed once again to "Academy of Sciences" in 1998].
Size: About 660 square meters
Primary Function: Laser research, possible research related to laser isotope separation and enrichment of uranium
Description: Information on the Laser Research Institute is scarce. According to author Lee Chae Sŭng, North Korea is interested in lasers, but in the late 1990s, North Korea was only at the beginning stage of laser technology. In October 2002, North Korea admitted that it possesses a program to enrich uranium, and the Laser Research Institute is a suspected research site for this program. According to intelligence and diplomatic sources in Seoul, US government officials briefed the South Korean government around 10 October 2002 about North Koreas uranium enrichment program. The Academy of Sciences was one of three suspected sites; the others were “Hagap” and “Yŏngjŏ-ri.” According to reports, the US government is most concerned about the Academy of Sciences site because North Korea could be developing laser isotope separation for uranium enrichment. [Note: Uranium enrichment through laser isotope separation is technically difficult, and it is doubtful that North Korea has enriched uranium using this technology.]
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Updated June 2003 |
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Key Sources:
Kim Min Sŏk and O Yŏng Hwan, “Puk, Uranium Nongch’uk Shilhŏmjangso ‘Pyŏngsŏng Kukkagwahag’wŏn’ Yu’ryŏk,” Joongang Ilbo, 19 October 2002, <http://www.joins.com/>; Yonhap News Agency, “Mi’guk, Pukhaek Kaebal ‘Ŭishim’ Shisŏl 3 Kot,” Hankryoreh Shinmun, 19 October 2002, <http://www.hani.co.kr/>; Oh Young-hwan and Kim Min-seok, “North Moved Nuclear Research Site,” Joongang Ilbo, 19 October 2002, <http://english.joins.com/>; Lee Chae Sŭng, Pukhan’ŭl Umjig’i’nŭn Technocrat (Seoul: Ilbit, 1998), p. 99; Pukhan Net Pukhan Paekkwa, “Kwahakkisŭl Yŏ’gu’gigwan,” Joongang Ilbo, 9 December 2000, <http://nk.joins.com/nk>; Shisabaekkwa, “Kwahag’wŏn,” Chosun Ilbo, <http://nk.chosun.com/glossary/glossary.html >; North Korean telephone directory, publisher and date of publication unknown; Press Statement, Richard Boucher, Spokesman, “North Korean Nuclear Program,” U.S. Department of State, 16 October 2002, <http://www.state.gov/>; Joby Warrick, “U.S. Followed the Aluminum,” Washington Post, 18 October 2002, p. A1, <http://www.washingtonpost.com/>; David E. Sanger and James Dao, “U.S. Says Pakistan Gave Technology to North Korea,” New York Times, 18 October 2002, <http://www.nytimes.com/>.
