Subordinate to: 5th Machine Industry Bureau (第5機械産業總局), Second Economic Committee (第2經濟委員會) for chemical weapons production; and the Ministry of Chemical Industry (化學工業省) for civilian production

Primary Function: Production of chemical intermediates such as benzol, phenol, and hydrochloric acid; alleged production of chemical weapons

Description: The Hyesan Chemical Factory has allegedly been involved in CW agent production; however, none of the allegations provides conclusive evidence of CW agent production. Even video footage surreptitiously obtained by Toshio Miyazuka, a professor at Yamanashi Gakuin University in Japan, fails to clearly corroborate the allegations of CW production at this site. Moreover, the commodity chemicals produced here (benzol, phenol, and hydrochloric acid) are not specific precursors for CW agents.

	Updated April 2003

Key Sources:
Naewoe Tongshin, 23 March 1995, pp. E1-E3, in "Characteristics of DPRK Chemical Weapons Noted," FBIS Document ID: FTS19970508001832; Inoue Tadao, Boei Gijutsu Janaru, December 1999, in "Ch'ongsu Chemical Factory Alleged CW Site," FBIS Document ID: FTS20000111000855; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), p. 65; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), pp. 65, in "Alleged Locations of DPRK Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Warfare Facilities Mapped," 6 June 2001, FBIS Document ID: KPP20010606000075; Naewoe Tongshin, No. 903, 9 June 1994, pp. B1-B4, in Nuclear, Chemical, Biological Warfare Research Detailed, FBIS JPRS-TND-94-017, 8 September 1994, pp. 4-5.