Location: Probably Kwahak-dong (科學洞) or Kwahak 2 Dong (科學2洞), Ŭnjŏng-kuyŏk (恩情區域), Pyongyang (平壤市), North Korea

[Note 1: In 1996, part of P’yŏngsŏng City (平城市) was incorporated into Pyongyang. This Section was named Ŭnjŏng-kuyŏk, and this administrative district includes areas where the Academy of Sciences and other institutes are located. However, many sources still mistakingly identify the location of the organizations and institutes as P’yŏngsŏng].

Telephone Number: +850-2-521-6783

Subordinate to: Academy of Sciences (科學院), Cabinet (內閣) [Note: North Korea's Academy of Sciences (科學院) was founded in December 1952. The Academy's name was officially changed to “National Academy of Sciences (國家科學院)” in 1994, but the name was changed back to “Academy of Sciences” in 1998].

Primary Function: Research on gene-transfer food programs, molecular biology, and genetic engineering

Description: The Branch Academy of Cell and Gene Engineering was founded in the late 1980s as one of nine research branches of the Academy of Sciences. Any connections to the North Korean BW program are unclear, but according to North Korean media reports, this branch conducts a number of research and development projects on cellular biology and genetic engineering. The branch reportedly has been involved specifically in the manufacture of human growth hormone, restriction endonucleases (enzymes used in genetic recombination techniques), snake-venom derived anticoagulant (“Atroxofilis”), genetically modified crops, and some vaccine-related research. As of 2002, Ms. Lee Yŏng Su was a section chief (室長) and a large percentage of the staff at this facility is female.

Women research scientists at the Branch Academy Cell and Gene Engineering Branch (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, July 1999).

	Updated August 2003

Key Sources:
Lee Chae Sŭng, Pukhan’ŭl Umjig’i’nŭn Technocrat (Seoul: Ilbit, 1998), pp. 44-45; “DPRK’s Cell and Gene Engineering Branch Profiled,” 4 August 2000, FBIS Document ID: KPP20000804000097; Yi Mi-hwa, “Restriction Endonucleases Develop,” P’yongyang Times (sic), 23 March 2002, p.4, in “DPRK’s Cell and Gene Engineering Branch Develops Restriction Endonucleases,” FBIS Document ID: KPP20020410000105; “Gene-Recompounding Makes Growth Hormone,” Korea Today, 1 November 2001, in “DPRK R&D Center Develops Human Growth Hormone via Gene Recombination,” FBIS Document ID: KPP20011226000096; Kim Yŏng Shik, “[Pukhan] Saehaedŭlŏ Kim Jong Il Hyŏnjijido Ŏmmuganhwa,” Segye Ilbo, 21 January 1999, p. 22, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Cho Chŏng Chin, “Pukhan’yŏsŏngdŭl ‘Yŏnp’ungdangdang’,” Segye Ilbo, 28 March 2002, p. 8, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; South Korea Ministry of Unification, Pukhan Kaeyo 2000 (Seoul: Ministry of Unification, 1999), pp. 408-413.