Location: Yongdŏk-dong (龍德洞), Kusŏng (龜城市), North P’yŏn’an Province (平安北道), North Korea  [Note: There are numerous reports of high explosive test sites in “Kusŏng” and “T’aech’ŏn” and “Kŭmp’ung-ri.” However, CNS analysts believe these are mistaken reports that actually refer to a single test site in the area of Yongdŏk-dong in the City of Kŭsŏng.] 

Subordinate to: Probably the Fifth Machine Industry Bureau (第5機械工業局), which is also known as the “Fifth General Bureau” (第5總局), Second Economic Committee (第2經濟委員會), National Defense Commission (國防委員會); and/or Department No. 32 (第32部) under the Nuclear Chemical Defense Bureau (核化學防衛局), Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces (人民武力部), National Defense Commission (國防委員會)

Primary Function: Testing high explosives and trigger devices for nuclear weapons

Description: In early 1997, US reconnaissance satellites discovered evidence of a high explosive test site in the City of Kusŏng. There were reportedly at least three high explosives tests between 1997 and 1998. According to a Japanese report, the US government informed the Japanese government in 1998 that North Korea had successfully completed the high explosives tests required for nuclear weapons. The report claims that the tests were conducted at a site in Kusŏng, which was still under construction.

Osamu Eya, a Japanese journalist, analyzed commercial satellite photos taken in December 1997 by the Russian environmental survey satellite “Resurs F1M.” Eya determined the location of the site to be Kŭmp’ung-ri (金風里) in the City of Kusŏng. Eya also found traces of explosions in nine spots. According to Eya, there are at least six buildings located near the site, including a control facility, an observation structure, an assembly plant, and a storage facility.

On 2 July 2003, the New York Times reported that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had found a high-explosive test site in Yongdŏk-dong. According to a South Korean official, the South Korean government provided the information on the Yongdok-dong site to the US government in February 2003, based on North Korean defectors’ testimony. The CIA reportedly verified the reports through satellite imagery. Yongdŏk -dong is adjacent to Kump’ung-ri in the City of Kusŏng. The Kŭmp’ung-ri High Explosive Test Site is probably the same site as the Yongdŏk-dong High Explosive Test Site.

North Korea reportedly conducted more than seventy high-explosive tests between 1983 and 1991, and at least three tests between 1997 and 1998. According to South Korean press reports, the US Defense Intelligence Agency informed the South Korean government in December 2002 that North Korea has conducted an additional seventy tests since 1998. The tests conducted between 1983 and 1991 were reportedly conducted at the Yŏngbyŏn High Explosive Test Site, but according to South Korean intelligence sources, this site has not been in use since the early 1990s. Following the signing of the Agreed Framework in 1994, North Korea was unable to use the Yŏngbyŏn High Explosive Test Site, so it started building the new test site in Yŏngdok-dong. Therefore, all subsequent high explosive tests are believed to have been conducted at the Yongdŏk-dong High Explosive Test Site. According to a South Korean official, 80% of the construction of the Yongdŏk-dong site was completed as of 2002.

	Updated August 2003

Key Sources:
“DPRK Succeeds in Nuclear Detonation Test,” Yomiuri Shimbun, 31 January 1999, p. 2, FBIS Document ID: FTS1999013100289; “‘Puk Changnyŏn Haekkip’okshilhŏm Sŏnggong’-Iljibodo..Mi, Iljŏngbue Imi,” Kyunghyang Shinmun, 1 February 1999, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Chŏn Hyŏn Il, “Puk, Nodong 1 Ho Shich’ŏnbaech’I Kunsanosŏn Kanghwa,” Segye Ilbo, 4 January 1999, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Kim Kwang Hyŏn, “Pukhan Haekshisŏl 4 Kinde Ŭihok...Yomiuri Podo,” Kukmin Ilbo, 19 March 1999, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), pp. 56-57, 60-61; Osamu Eya, “North Korea’s ‘Nukes’ Place World in ‘Crisis’ Again,” Shukan Posuto, 16 April 1999, in “Weekly Reveals Alleged DORK Nuclear Facilities,” FBIS Document ID: FTS19990410000079; Chŏng Wŏn Kyo, “Puk’e Kop’okshilhŏmjang Shilhŏm/Mi Ch’ŏppowisŏng Hwagin,” Kukmin Ilbo, 23 November 1998, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Kim Sang Hyŏp, “Puk, Such’arye Kop’okshilhŏm/Pyŏngbuk T’aechŏngusang Kyegog’e Shilhŏmjang Kŭkbi Kŏnsŏl,” Munhwa Ilbo, 23 November 1998, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Kim Su Kil and O Yŏng Hwan, “Puk Chihashisŏl 2 Kot Tŏ Palgyŏn,” Joongang Ilbo, 26 Novermber 1998, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; “Yonhap TV News Reports DPRK Detonation Site,” Yonhap Television News, 23 November 1998, FBIS Document ID: 19981123001790; Yun Sang Sam, “Puk Yongŏdongjihari’e Missile Kiji Kŏnsŏljung,” Donga Ilbo, 24 December 1998, p. 10, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Federation of American Scientists, “Special Weapons Facilities, North Korea,” 23 November 1999, <http://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/facility/>; David E. Sanger, “C.I.A. Said to Find Nuclear Advances By North Koreans,” New York Times, 1 July 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; An Chun Hyŏn, “‘Sohyŏng Haekt’an’du Puksŏ Kaebaljung’/NYT ‘Mi, Haekshilhŏmshisŏl Hwagin’,” Hankook Ilbo, 2 July 2003, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Lee Mi suk, Kim Kyo Man, “Puk Haekshilhŏmjang Saesashil Anida,” Munhwa Ilbo, 2 July 2003, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Lee Chong Hun, “Puk Haekt’an’du Chejogisul Ŏnŭ Sujuninga/1t Miman Sohyŏnghwaddaen Haekwihyŏp Hyŏnshilhwa,” Donga Ilbo, 3 July 2003, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; “Further on Report Cites ROK Spy Chief on DPRK High-Explosive Tests,” Hong Kong Agence France Press, 9 July 03, in FBIS Document ID: JPP20030709000100; Kim Min Chŏl,  “Puk 70 Yŏch’arye ‘Yongdŏkdong Ko’p’okshihŏm’ P’ajang,” Chosun Ilbo, 11 July 2003,  in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>.