North Korea
Kumcheon Scud Missile Base
About
North Korea reportedly began construction of the Kumcheon missile base in 1992 or 1993, and construction of the base was reportedly nearing completion in March 2001. According to U.S. and South Korean military authorities, the base has an underground launch facility and tunnels for transporting the missiles. The Chosun Ilbo reports that Kumcheon is a base for Hwasong-6 [Scud-C] missiles; however, other reports only say it is a “Scud missile” base. [Note: Given that the Hwasong-5 and Hwasong-6 have the same dimensions, it appears likely that the facility is technically capable of handling both missiles.
Glossary
- Scud
- Scud is the designation for a series of short-range ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s and transferred to many other countries. Most theater ballistic missiles developed and deployed in countries of proliferation concern, for example Iran and North Korea, are based on the Scud design.
Sources
[1] Kang Ho Shik, “Puk Missile Chŭngga Chŏllyŏk Chŏnjinbaech’i Anp’akk,” Kyunghyang Shinmun, 5 March 2001, p. 3, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[2] Kim Min Sŏk, “Puk Scud Missiler Kiji Chŭngsŏl,” Joongang Ilbo, 5 March 2001, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[3] Kang Ho Shik, “Puk Scud Missile Kiji Chŭngsŏl,” Kyunghyang Shinmun, 5 March 2001, p. 1, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[4] Chu Yong Chung, “Sajŏng 500km Scud C Missile 200 Ki,” Chosun Ilbo, 29 September 1999, p. 1, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[5] Kim Chong Hun, “99 Kukbangbaeksŏ Palp’yo – Pukpyŏngnyŏk Manmyŏng Nŭl’ŏ 117 Manmyŏng,” Kyunghyang Shinmun, 13 October 1999, p. 3, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[6] Kim Yŏng Bŏn, “Puk Hwahangmugi 5,000t Poyu,” Munhwa Ilbo, 13 October 1999, p. 30, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr;
[7] “Buk, Hwangbuk Tŏ’gol Tŭng 6 Kot Scud Missile Kiji Kongsa,” Yonhap News Agency, 26 October 1999, www.yonhapnews.co.kr;
[8] Kim Min Sŏk, “Puk Missile Kiji Kyesok Chŭngsŏl,” Joongang Ilbo, 5 March 2001, www.joins.com.