The Hamhŭng University of Chemical Industry was established in 1947 as North Korea's first institute of higher educational in the field of science and technology. The college was originally called the Hŭngnam Industrial College (興南工業大學), but it was changed to its current name in 1954. According to defector Lee Ch'ung Kuk, many of the researchers at the No. 398 Research Institute received their training at the Hamhŭng University of Chemical Industry. Furthermore, many Korean People's Army personnel are said to receive training in chemical weapons defense here. The university is well known as North Korea's foremost training ground for chemists and engineers, and it has 46 chemistry-related departments, as well as four affiliated research institutes. Departments in the discipline of chemistry include chemical mechanical engineering, high polymer chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry.

Sources:
[1] Lee Chae Sŭng, "Pukhan Kwahag'ŭi Isanggwa Hyŏnshil," Chapter Three in Pukhan'ŭl Umjiginŭn Technocrat (Seoul: Ilbit, August 1998), pp. 123-174, in "Chemical Engineering, Experts Described," 23 December 1999, FBIS Document ID: FTS19991223001168;
[2] Various sources, in "Profile of DPRK University, Link to WMD," FBIS Document ID KPP20000907000105;
[3] ROK Ministry of Unification, Pukhan Kaeyo 2000, (Seoul: Ministry of Unification, 1999), p. 488;
[4] Lee Chae Sŭng, "Taehakshisŏl (Pukhanŭi Kyoyuk: 7)," Segye Ilbo, 9 September 1002, p. 14, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr.