This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
The South Korean newspaper Sindong-a reports that Unit 32, the most secretive element within the DPRK Nuclear and Chemical Defense Bureau, oversees chemical weapons research and production. It is further estimated that chemical warheads for the Nodong-1 are also researched and developed by Unit 32.
—Ch'oe Yong Chae, "US Strategy Pressuring DPRK on Biological, Chemical Weapon," Sindong-a (Seoul) in Korean, 1 January 2002, pp. 300-313, translated in FBIS: KPP20011220000016.
The DPRK claims that Japan, under the pretense of building defenses against chemical warfare, is in fact "making preparations for biological and chemical warfare."
—"Dangerous Forces of Aggression Attempting to Ignite Fuse of Biochemical War," Korean Central Broadcasting Station (P'yongyang ), in Korean, 18 Oct 2001, transcribed in FBIS Document KPP20011018000112.
P'yongyang's Korean Central Broadcasting Station reports on past chemical and biological warfare (CBW) research conducted in the United States, saying that "this shows how much the US warmongers have run amok recklessly to develop biochemical weapons."
—"US Past Attempt to Develop Biochemical Weapons Denounced," KCNS broadcast, in FBIS Document KPP20011029000084.
ROK Defense Minister Kim Dong Shin tells the South Korean parliament that the DPRK possesses up to 5,000 tons of biochemical weapons, stored at six different facilities.
—Yonhap News Agency broadcast, in English, transcribed in FBIS Document KPP20011120000003.
South Korean military sources indicate that North Korea possesses 2,500 to 5,000 metric tons of chemical weapons. Chemical weapons (CW) agents included in this arsenal are VX, sarin, and phosgene. [Note: The figure of 5,000 tons is also used in a statement by ROK Foreign Minster Yu Chong Ha on 6 May 1997. This assessment is in line with other recent estimates, ranging up to 4,500 tons.]
—Kang Tong Hyong, "Status of North Korea's Arsenal of Weapons of Mass Destruction," in Taehan Maeil, internet version, in FBIS Document KPP20011127000106.
General Thomas A. Schwartz, Commander in Chief of the United Nations Command/Combined Forces, United States Forces Korea, testifies before the US Senate. His assessment of the North Korean military posture included the following statement: "A large number of North Korean chemical weapons threaten both our military forces and the civilian population centers of South Korea and Japan. We assess that North Korea has very large chemical stockpiles and is self-sufficient in the production of chemical components for first generation chemical agents...North Korea can deploy missiles with chemical warheads and potentially have the ability to weaponize biological agents for missile delivery."
—Thomas A. Schwartz, statement before the 107th Congress, Senate Armed Services Committee, 5 March 2002, p. 8.
In Seoul, John Bolton, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, says that "in addition to its disturbing weapons of mass destruction activities, North Korea also is the world's foremost peddler of ballistic missile-related equipment, components, materials and technical expertise." Bolton also says that George W. Bush's reference to North Korea as being part of an "axis of evil" was "more than a rhetorical flourish--it was factually correct." Bolton says the Agreed Framework is "in serious doubt" unless safeguards inspections begin soon, and there is "little doubt that North Korea has a chemical weapons program and "one of the most robust offensive bioweapons programs on earth."
—Sang-Hun Choe, "Negotiator Says N. Korea Well-Armed," Washington Post, 29 August 2002, <http://www.washingtonpost.com>; Martin Nesirky, "U.S. Official Calls N. Korea 'Peddler' of Missile Technology," Washington Post, 30 August 2002, p. 17, <http://www.washingtonpost.com>; Xinhua News Agency, 29 August 2002, in "Xinhua: US Urges DPRK To Accept IAEA Atomic Inspections," FBIS Document ID: CPP20020829000040; Kim Ji-ho, "U.S. Diplomats Meet Seoul Officials on North Korea, Presidential Race," Korea Herald, 29 August 2002, <http://www.koreaherald.co.kr>; Kwon Kyung-bok, "State Department's Bolton Visits Cheong Wa Dae," Chosun Ilbo, <http://english.chosun.com>; Kwon Kyung-bok, "Bolton Says NK 'Armed to the Teeth'," Chosun Ilbo, 29 August 2002, <http://nk.chosun.com/english>; "Bolton to Arrive in Seoul Today," Korea Times, 27 August 2002, <http://www.koreatimes.co.kr>; Hwang Chae Hun, "Hanmi 'Puk WMD' Taech'aek Hyŏb'ŭi (Chonghap)," Yonhap News Agency, 28 August 2002, <http://www.yonhapnews.net>; Hwang Chae Hun, "Bolton, 'Geneva Hab'ŭi' Mirae Uryŏ," Yonhap News Agency, 29 August 2002, <http://www.yonhapnews.net>.
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Updated April 2003 |
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