Subordinate to: General Department of Atomic Energy (原子力總局), Cabinet (內閣) and/or 5th Machine Industry Bureau (5機械工業總局), Korean Workers Party (朝鮮勞動黨) [Note: the 5th Machine Industry Bureau was originally under the Atomic Energy Committee (原子力委員會), which is currently called the General Department of Atomic Energy Industry. However, in 1987, when the Atomic Energy Committee was renamed the Ministry of Atomic Energy Industry (原子力工業部), the 5th Machine Industry Bureau was directly placed under the Korean Workers Party.]

Primary Function: Acquiring nuclear-related materials and equipment

Description: The Korea Sixth Equipment Trading Company uses a special fund to import materials and equipment for the North Korean nuclear program. This special fund is called the “Kim Il Sung fund,” the “presidential fund,” or the “Number 710 fund.” According to defector Kim Tae Ho, Lee Kwŏn Tae is the manager of the Korea Sixth Equipment Trading Company’s trading section (輸出入課長), as well as an advisor for the Taedonggang Trading Company main office in Tokyo. Lee reportedly uses the “Number 710 Fund” to procure materials and equipment from countries such as Japan, China and Russia for the North Korean nuclear development program. It is unclear whether there is a direct relationship between the Korea Sixth Equipment Trading Company and the Taedonggang Trading Company. 

	Updated June 2003

Key Sources:
“Pukhanŭi Haekkaebal Kujo Mit Ŭiji,” Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, <http://www.kaeri.re.kr/>; Kim Tae Ho, Watashiga Mita Kitachosen  Kakukojono Shinjitsu (Tokyo: Tokuma Shoten, 2003) pp. 219-222; Kim Yŏng Shik, “Haek Kaebal Ch’ongbonsan P’yŏngbuk Yŏngbyŏndanji,” Segye Ilbo, 30 April 1997, p. 17, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), p. 64.