North Korea
No. 125 Factory
About
According to North Korean defector Ch’oe Ju Hwal, this factory produces missiles, is located in Hyŏngjesan-kuyŏk, Pyongyang, and is nicknamed the “Pyongyang Pig Factory.” The press has reported that the No. 125 Factory produces Scud-B and Nodong ballistic missiles, and Silkworm surface-to-ship missiles. South Korean government sources say that visitors from Middle Eastern countries have been to this factory in connection with North Korean “Scud-B” (Hwasŏng-5) sales. [Note: Ch’oe admits in an interview that he has no direct knowledge of North Korean missile production or capabilities, and that others have provided him with missile-related information.]
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.
- Ballistic missile
- A delivery vehicle powered by a liquid or solid fueled rocket that primarily travels in a ballistic (free-fall) trajectory. The flight of a ballistic missile includes three phases: 1) boost phase, where the rocket generates thrust to launch the missile into flight; 2) midcourse phase, where the missile coasts in an arc under the influence of gravity; and 3) terminal phase, in which the missile descends towards its target. Ballistic missiles can be characterized by three key parameters - range, payload, and Circular Error Probable (CEP), or targeting precision. Ballistic missiles are primarily intended for use against ground targets.
Sources
[1] Interview with Ch’oe Ju Hwal by Daniel A. Pinkston, senior research associate, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 9 April 2001.
[2] Seoul Kim Kwang In, “’Twaejigongjang’sŏn Missile Saengsan,” Chosun Ilbo, 11 February 2001, www.chosun.com.
[3] “’Pyongyang Pig Factory’ Produces Missiles,” Chosun Ilbo, 12 February 2001, http://english.chosun.com.
[4] Chŏng Ki Hae, “Kyŏngjenan’ŭi Bburi/Min’gan’gyŏngje Kalg’a’mŏknŭn Kunsusan’ŏp (A! Bungnyŏkdongp’o: 23),” Joongang Ilbo, 30 March 1995, p. 8, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr.
[5] “Puk’e Missile Kongjang 4 Kot, Kiji 10 Kot Isang Itta,” Cheju Ilbo, 26 March 1999, www.chejunews.co.kr.
[6] “Pukhan’ŭi Missile Kaebal Kunsa,” Tongil News, 27 February 2001, www.tongilnews.com.
[7] “Sunch’ŏn.Kaech’ŏn’e Missile Kongjang,” Joongang Ilbo, 10 January 2001, www.joins.com.
[8] KBS-1 Television Network (Seoul), 13 October 1995, in FBIS-EAS-95-198, 13 October 1995, pp. 49-50.