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North Korea: Seized Chemical Could Be Used to Produce Nerve Agent By Mike Nartker On Monday, Taiwanese officials seized more than 150 barrels of phosphorus pentasulfide from the freighter Be Gaehung, according to reports. The chemical can be used as a precursor in the development of nerve agents, proliferation expert Mark Smith of the University of Southampton told GSN yesterday. He added that Iraq was known to have used the chemical in its VX program. The Wall Street Journal reported today that phosphorus pentasulfide could also be used to produce peaceful materials, such as insecticide or motor oil additives. Phosphorus pentasulfide is also included on the export control list used by the Australia Group, an informal network of 33 countries that coordinates export controls for dual-use biological and chemical items, Smith said. While most of the international concern surrounding North Korea’s WMD efforts has focused on Pyongyang’s relaunched nuclear weapons program, the country is also believed to have pursued biological and chemical weapons. In an April report, the CIA said that North Korea had acquired dual-use chemicals last year for possible use in its “long-standing” chemical weapons program. The CIA also said that North Korea had produced “a sizeable stockpile” of chemical weapons, such as nerve, blister, choking and blood agents. The Journal reported today that the Be Gaehung has been allowed to leave Kaohsiung after its captain agreed to leave the chemical barrels behind. While some reports have indicated that Taiwanese officials searched the ship on the basis of U.S.-provided information, a U.S. State Department official yesterday refused to tell GSN what, if any, role the United States played in the operation. The official said Monday’s action should not be seen as being country-specific, adding that the United States has long worked to encourage countries to be more aware of suspicious materials passing through their territory.
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