Other Names: Taech'on 200MW Graphite-Moderated Reactor (泰川 200MW 黑鉛減速爐), Taecheon Nuclear Reactor (泰川原子爐), Nuclear Reactor No. 4 (第4號原子爐), T'aech'ŏn Machine No. 1 (泰川1號機)
Location: T’aech’ŏn-kun (泰川郡), North P’yŏng’an Province (平安北道), North Korea
Subordinate to: General Department of Atomic Energy (原子力總局), Cabinet (內閣)
Size: 200MW(e), about 800MW(th)
Primary Function: Production of electricity, and the production of plutonium
Description: North Korea began construction of a 200MW(e) nuclear power reactor in T’aech’ŏn-kun in 1989, and was expected to complete the construction by 1996. The reactor design was modeled after the French G-2 reactor, which France developed in the 1950s primarily for plutonium production. The T’aech’ŏn 200MW(e) reactor was designed to use graphite as a moderator, and CO2 as a coolant. This reactor design is an efficient source of weapon-grade plutonium. This reactor would be capable of producing about 220kg of plutonium per year, but the reactors construction has been frozen under the terms of the Agreed Framework of October 1994. The agreement also provides for the dismantlement of this facility after the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) has completed the project to build two light water nuclear reactors at Shinp’o, South Hamgyŏng Province. [Note: The plutonium production capacity is derived under the assumptions that 1MW(th)-day results in 1g of Pu, and that the reactor would operate at a capacity factor of 75 percent. Therefore, 800 MW(th) X 365 days X 75% = 219kg.]
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Updated April 2003 |
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Key Sources:
Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng, (Seoul: Sŏmundang, 1999), p. 134; ROK Ministry of National Defense, Taeryangsalsangmugi (WMD) Mundappaekkwa:Hwa Saeng Pang Missile Ŏlmana Algo Kyeshimnikka? (Seoul: Ministry of National Defense, 2001), pp. 95-96; Kim Byŏng Ku et al., Pukhaekkisulch’ongsŏ-I (North Korean Nuclear Issues and the LWR Project), KAERI/AR-552-99, Technology Center for Nuclear Control, November 1999, <http://www.tcnc.kaeri.re.kr/>; Agreed Framework between the United States of America and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 21 October 1994, <http://www.kedo.org/pdfs/AgreedFramework.pdf>; David Albright and Kevin O’Neill, eds., Solving the North Korean Nuclear Puzzle, (Washington, D.C.: Institute For Science And International Security, 2000); Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., “Exposing North Korea's Nuclear Infrastructure—Part One,” Jane's Intelligence Review, July 1999, p. 41; “Haewoe Chuyokuk’esŏ’ŭi Wŏnjaryŏkpaljŏnso Pejijochi’ŭi Shiljŏk,” Wŏnajaryŏkpaekkwasajŏn, <http://www.atomic.or.kr/atomica>; Shin Hyŏn Su, “Kyŏngsuro/Hankukhyŏngrŏhyŏng Ŏddŏkke Tarŭnga,” Kukmin Ilbo, 8 July 1994, p. 5, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >; Pak Chŏng Hyŏn, “Mibuk Yŏllaksamuso Sŏlch’I Habŭi/Puk, ‘Haekkabal Tonggyŏl, NPT Challyu’,” Taehan Maeil, 14 August 1994, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >; Im Ŭn Sun, “‘Pukhaekkaebal Imbakhandŭt’/Kim Angibujang/Plutonium Taryangwhakbo,” 14 June 1994, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >; “Pukhan, 6 Paek 35MW Kŭp Wŏnjaro 3 Ki Kŏnsŏlch’ujin/Migunch’ukyŏn Konggae Pukhaekch’oeshinhyŏnhwang,” Segye Ilbo, 7 May 1994, p. 4, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >; Hong Yun O, “Haekshisŏl 18 Kos’e Illyŏk 3,000 Myŏng,” Hankook Ilbo, 24 October 1994, p. 27, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.co.kr/>; Pae Myŏng Pok, “‘Pukhan Haek Chaech’ŏri Nŭngryŏk Poyu’/IAEA Ch’ongjang Pogo,” Joongang Ilbo, 16 May 1992, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; “North Korea Building Plutonium Plant: IAEA Chief,” Agence France Presse, 16 May 1992, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.
