Other Names: Much'on Agar Plant
Location: Munch’ŏn-nodongjagu (文川勞動者區), Munch’ŏn(文川市), Kangwŏn Province (江原道), North Korea
Subordinate to: Unknown
Size: 200-ton production capacity of agar per year
Primary Function: Agar production for civilian use, production of agar growth media for biological weapons, and weaponization of biological warfare (BW) agents
Description: The Much’ŏn Agar Factory was built after Kim Il Sung’s visit to East Germany in 1984. During Kim’s visit, he made an agreement with the East German government to acquire agar production equipment for bacterial cultures. As of 1992, the annual agar production capacity of the factory was 200 tons, and 2% of the production capacity was reportedly used for agar growth media specifically designated for the growth of bacterial cultures for the biological weapons program. In addition, the factory is reportedly responsible for weaponizing BW agents delivered from the No. 25 Factory (25號工場), the Party Central Biological Research Institute (黨中央生物硏究所), and the Preventive Military Medical Unit (豫防軍事醫療部隊).
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Updated July 2003 |
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Key Sources:
Kim Tong Wŏn, “Ch’ejewigishi ‘Taenam Chŏllyakkadŭ’ Ro Hwalyong/Pukhan Saeng’hwahangmugi Shilch’ŏn’baech’i Sang’hwang,” Segye Ilbo, 24 Ocotber 1992, p. 5, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; “Pukhan, Saenghwagangmugi Poyu/Angimu/Kukkamjaryo/P’esŭ’t’ŭ cholera Tŭng 13 Chong,” Chosun Ilbo, 24 October 1992, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Kim Wŏn Pong and Osamu Mitsuhuji, Saishin Chousenhantou Gunjijyouhouno Zenbou (Tokyo: Kodansya, 2000) p. 52; Yi Son-ho, “North Korea’s Technology for the Development of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Its Ability,” Pukhan, November 1998, pp. 38-51, in “Monthly on DPRK Weapons of Mass Destructio (sic),” FBIS Document FTS19981121000245; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., “Exposing the North Korean BW Arsenal,” Jane’s Intelligence Review, August 1998, p. 29.
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