Location: Pukchung-nodongjagu (北中勞動者區), Yongch'ŏn-kun (龍川郡), North Pyŏng'an Province (平安北道), North Korea

Subordinate to: Ministry of Metal and Machine-Building Industries (金屬機械工業省)

Primary Function: Production of various machines tools, vehicle parts, ship components, possibly machines and/or components for transporter-erector launchers (TELs) and mobile-erector launchers (MELs), and possibly machines and/or components applicable to missile manufacturing

Description: The Pukchung Machine Complex is one of North Korea's major machine manufacturing facilities. The complex could have provided parts or components used in the manufacturing of TELs and MELs, as well as machines used at missile production plants. National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the complex in May 2000 and December 2001 to provide "on-the-spot guidance." Kim was accompanied by a high-ranking military delegation during the December 2001 visit, which suggests the facility could be tasked with military-related production. "Computerized production processes" have recently been introduced, which indicates North Korea might be achieving greater precision in the production of machine tools and components.

The following are video stills of Kim Jong Il's visit to the factory on 16 December 2001.

	Updated April 2003

Key Sources:
Korean Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 16 December 2001, in "DPRK Leader Gives 'On-The-Spot' Guidance to North P'yongan Province--Graphics Attached," FBIS Document ID KPP20011217000027; "Important Tasks Set for Industrial Development in N. Phyongan Prov.," Pyongyang Times, 22 December 2001, <http://www.times.dprkorea.com/ >; Korean Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 17 May 2000, in "DPRK Leader Visits Machine Complex," FBIS Document ID KPP20000518000008; Kang T'ae Ho, "58 Nyŏn Hwamulch'a Ch'ŏt Choripsaengsan/Chadongch'asan'ŏp (Pukhan'gyŏngje)," Hankyoreh Shinmun, 16 November 1993, p. 8, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Lee Jae Sŭng, "Pukhan'ŭi 6 Kae Kwŏn'yŏkpyŏl Kong'ŏppaech'i Hyŏnhwang," Segye Ilbo, 22 July 1992, p. 12, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Lee Jae Sŭng, "Chosŏn/Oehwabŏr'I Ilhwan Oe'guksŏnbak Suri Ch'ijung (Pukhan'ŭi Ssan'ŏp)," Segye Ilbo, 17 June 1992, p. 12, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Federation of American Scientists, "North Korea Special Weapons Guide," <http://www.fas.org/>.