Location: Pun’gang-chigu (分江地區), Yŏngbyŏn-kun (寧邊郡), North P’yŏng’an Province (平安北道), North Korea

Subordinate to: Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center (寧邊原子力硏究센터), General Department of Atomic Energy (原子力總局), Cabinet (內閣)

Size: 50MW(e), 200MW(th)

Primary Function: Production of electricity and plutonium

Description: North Korea began construction of 50MW(e) Nuclear Power Plant in 1985 or 1986, and it was due to be completed in 1995. North Korea used either the British Calder Hall reactor or the French G-2 reactor as a model for its 50MW(e) reactor in Yŏngbyŏn. Both are graphite-moderated, gas-cooled reactors, and good sources of weapon-grade plutonium. If the 50MW(e) reactor had been completed, it would have been capable of producing about 55kg of plutonium per year. The construction of this reactor has been frozen under the terms of the Agreed Framework, which was signed by the US and North Korea in October 1994. The agreement also provides for the dismantlement of this facility after the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) has completed the project to build two light-water nuclear reactors at Shinp’o, South Hamgyŏng Province. [Note: The plutonium production capacity is derived under the assumptions that 1MW(th)-day results in 1g of Pu, and that the reactor would operate at a capacity factor of 75 percent. Therefore, 200 MW(th) X 365 days X 75% = 54.75kg.]

General Data

Owner: Probably the General Department of Atomic Energy (原子力總局)
Operator: Probably the Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center (Center for Atomic Energy)
Construction Date: 1985-86
Operation Date: Probably 1995 at the earliest
Safeguards: Construction frozen under the Agreed Framework
Status: Frozen

Technical Data and Experimental Facilities

Reactor Type: Graphite-moderated, gas-cooled, Magnox,
(French G-2)
Power (Thermal): 200MW
Moderator: Graphite
Coolant: CO2

Fuel Data

Origin of Fissile Material: North Korea
Cladding Material: Magnox (Magnesium-0.5% Zirconium)

Technical references: David Albright and Kevin O’Neill, eds., Solving the North Korean Nuclear Puzzle, (Washington, D.C.: Institute For Science and International Security, 2000); Kim Byŏng Ku et al., Pukhaekkisulch’ongsŏ-I (North Korean Nuclear Issues and the LWR Project), KAERI/AR-552-99, Technology Center for Nuclear Control, November 1999, <http://www.tcnc.kaeri.re.kr>.

Satellite Image

	Updated April 2003

Key Sources:
David Albright, “Overview of North Korea’s Nuclear Fuel-Cycle Facilities in the Early 1990s,” in David Albright and Kevin O’Neill, eds., Solving the North Korean Nuclear Puzzle, (Washington, D.C.: Institute For Science And International Security, 2000), pp. 146-165; Kim Byŏng Ku et al., Pukhaekkisulch’ongsŏ-I (North Korean Nuclear Issues and the LWR Project), KAERI/AR-552-99, Technology Center for Nuclear Control, November 1999, <http://www.tcnc.kaeri.re.kr/>; Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng, (Seoul: Sŏmundang, 1999), pp. 125-126; Agreed Framework between the United States of America and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 21 October 1994, <http://www.kedo.org/pdfs/AgreedFramework.pdf>; “Pukhanŭi Wŏnjaryŏk Iyonggaebal Hyŏnhwang ,” Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, <http://www.kaeri.re.kr/>; Pukhan, 6 Paek 35MW Kŭp Wŏnjaro 3 Ki Kŏnsŏlch’ujin/Migunch’ugyŏn Konggae Pukhaekch’oeshinhyŏnhwang,” Segye Ilbo, 7 May 1994, p. 4, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; “IAEA Isahoe Blix Ch’ongjang Pukhaekpogo Yoji,” Taehan Maeil, 28 March 1995, p. 7, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Hong Yun O, “Haekshisŏl 18 Kos’e Illyŏk 3,000 Myŏng,” Hankook Ilbo, 24 October 1994, p. 27, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.co.kr/>; “‘Puk Haekpoyu’ Hwang Chang Yŏp Chujang Sashilin’ga/Pukhan Haekmugi Kaebal Kaebal Shilt’ae,” Segye Ilbo, 30 April 1997, p. 16, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>.