Location: Under Mt. Paekchok (백족산), Samsŏk-kuyŏk (三石區域), Pyongyang (平壤市), North Korea

Subordinate to: General Department of Atomic Energy (原子力總局), Cabinet (內閣); or the Korean Workers Party (朝鮮勞動黨)

Size: Unknown

Primary Function: Generation of electricity

Description: In December 2002, the Segye Ilbo, a South Korean daily, reported that US satellite imagery revealed a secret nuclear power plant that has been hidden underground in Pyongyang for about 20 years. The reactor was reportedly built with Soviet technology and is cooled with water from the Imwŏn Reservoir (林源貯水地). The report, citing a military source who is knowledgeable about North Korea, claims the reactor generates electricity for the Kumsusan Memorial Palace (which displays Kim Il Sungs body), the Korean Workers Party Central Committee building, the Ministry of the Peoples Armed Forces building, and a special dwelling for Kim Jong Il. Whether any spent fuel has been reprocessed and diverted to military use is unknown. [Note: This report is unsubstantiated, and the credibility of this report is dubious.]

	Updated April 2003

Key Sources:
Cho Chŏng Chin, “Secret Underground Nuclear Power Plant in P’yongyang,” Segye Ilbo, 5 December 2002, in “DPRK Allegedly Operates Secret Underground Nuclear Power Plant Near P’yongyang,” FBIS Document ID: KPP20021205000069; Cho Chŏng Chin, “P’yŏngyang’e Pimil Chihawŏnjŏn,” Segye Ilbo, 5 December 2002, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Kim Ki Tong, “‘Underground Atomic Energy Power Plant’ Shock—DPRK Nuclear Controversy Increases,” Segye Ilbo, 5 December 2002, in “Article Warns of Recurring 1994 ‘Crisis’ With DPRK’s ‘Secret’ Nuclear Power Plant,” FBIS Document ID: KPP20021205000077; Kim Ki Tong, “‘Chihawŏnjŏn Shock’...Pukhaekp’amun Chŭngp’ok,” Segye Ilbo, 5 December 2002, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>.