Other Names: Hamhŭng University of Chemical Engineering, University of Hamhung Chemical Industry, University of Chemical Industry, Hŭngnam College of Technology, University of Hŭngnam Chemical Industry
Location: Hamhŭng (咸興市), South Hamgyŏng Province (咸鏡南道), North Korea
Subordinate to: The Science Education Department (科學敎育部) under the Korean Workers Party Central Committee (朝鮮勞動黨中央委員會) exercises overall supervision, but the Department of Higher Education (高等敎育部) in the Ministry of Education (敎育省) manages administrative affairs. [Note: There are also education bureaus under the people’s committees in every city and/or province (市·都 人民委員會敎育局) that contribute to the formation of education policy, and the local education bureau could provide some input for the school.]
Size: Seven departments (學部), 46 departments (學科), and about 5,000 students
Primary Function: Education and training, research and development
Description: This is North Korea’s first higher educational institute in the field of science and technology. It was established in 1947 in Hŭngnam and was called the Hŭngnam College of Technology. The school’s name was changed to Hamhŭng University of Chemical Industry in 1954 and it was moved to Hamhŭng in 1959. The university is well known as the North’s foremost training ground for chemists and engineers, and has 46 chemistry-related departments as well as four affiliated research institutes. However, according to Bermudez, it may also be in charge of the research and education of scientists and technicians in spent fuel reprocessing.
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Updated April 2003 |
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Key Sources:
Lee Chae Sŭng, “Pukhan Kwahag’ŭi Isanggwa Hyŏnshil,” Chapter Three in Pukhan’ŭl Umjiginŭn Technocrat (Seoul: Ilbit, August 1998), pp. 123-174, in “Chemical Engineering, Experts Described,” 23 December 1999, FBIS Document ID: FTS19991223001168; “Pukhan Uŏngŏp’ul’i,” Christian Mission for North Korea, <http://www.cmnk.org>; Lee Chae Sŭng, “Taehakshisŏl: Pukhanŭi Kyoyuk 7,” Segye Ilbo, 9 September 1002, p. 14, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., “North Korea’s Nuclear Infrastructure,” Jane’s Intelligence Review, 1 February 1994, pp. 74-75; ROK Ministry of Unification, Pukhan Kaeyo 2000, (Seoul: Ministry of Unification, 1999), p. 488; Various sources, in “Profile of DPRK University, Link to WMD,” FBIS Document ID KPP20000907000105.
