North Korea
P’yŏngsan Uranium Milling Facility
The P’yŏngsan Uranium Milling Facility reportedly produces yellow cake, and is one of eleven factories operated by the Namch’ŏn Chemical Complex. According to defector Kim Tae Ho, this facility became operational in June 1991. However, there are also reports that it became operational in 1990, or even in the 1980s. [Note: Reports of this facility becoming operational in the 1980s are not reliable.] During a press conference in April 1992, an official from the North Korean Ministry of Atomic Energy Industry confirmed that North Korea was operating uranium milling facilities in Pyŏngsan-kun and Pakch’ŏn-kun. This facility is said to process uranium ore from the P’yŏngsan and Kŭmch’ŏn uranium mines.
Glossary
- Uranium
- Uranium is a metal with the atomic number 92. See entries for enriched uranium, low enriched uranium, and highly enriched uranium.
Sources
Sources:
[1] “Pukhanŭi Haekkaebal Kujo Mit Ŭiji,” Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, www.kaeri.re.kr.
[2] Kim Pyŏng Ku, et al., Pukhaekkisulch’ongsŏ-I (Taejŏn: Technology Center for Nuclear Control, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, November 1999), www.tcnc.kaeri.re.kr.
[3] Son Sŏng Jin, “Pyongyang Uranium Kongjang Ch’ulshin T’alch’ulja Kim Tae Ho Ssi Chŭng’ŏn,” Taehan Maeil, 13 May 1994, p. 5, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr.
[4] “Sabyŏng Pokmudanch’uk Kŏmt’o: Lee Kukbang Pangwibyŏngjedo Kaesŏndŭng P’oham,” Hankuk Ilbo, 13 May 1999, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr.
[5] Mun Ch’ang Jae, “Puk, Yŏngbyŏnwŏnjaro Modu 5 Kae: Wŏnjaryŏk Kanbu,” Hankuk Ilbo, 15 April 1992, p. 1, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr.
[6] Lee Yong U, “’Uranium T’amsa Tŭng Haekkaebal Hyŏl’an’/Pukhansŏ Kwisunhan 3 Myŏng Kijahwoegyŏn,” Segye Ilbo, 10 May 1994, p. 26, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr.
[7] North Korea Yearbook 2002 (Seoul: Yonhap News Agency, 2001) Chapter 8.
[8] Kim Yŏng Shik, “Puk Choch’ongryŏn’giŏp Taebubun Choŏp Chungdan Sangt’ae,” Segye Ilbo, 11 March 1999, p. 22, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), p. 64; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., “North Korea’s Nuclear Infrastructure,” Jane’s Intelligence Review, 1 February 1994, p. 75.