Other Names: Atomic Energy Research Center, Center for Atomic Energy, Center for Nuclear Research, Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Complex (寧邊原子力硏究團地), Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Site (寧邊原子力硏究基地), Nuclear Science Research Center (原子力科學硏究센터), Yongbyon Scientific-Research Center, Yongbyon Nuclear Center, Yongbyon Atomic Research Center, Object 9559, Furniture Factory
Location: Pun’gang-chigu (分江地區), Yŏngbyŏn-kun (寧邊郡), North P’yŏng’an Province (平安北道), North Korea
Address: C’hungsŏng-dong (충성동), Chung-kuyŏk (中區域), Pyongyang (平壤市), North Korea
[Note: The facilities are geographically located along the banks of the Kuryong River (九龍江) in Yŏngbyŏn-kun in North P’yŏng’an Province, but the Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center’s administrative address is C’hungsŏng-dong (충성동), Chung-Kuyŏk (中區域) in Pyongyang. However, Ch’ŭngsŏng-dong cannot be found on any maps. According to defector Kim Tae Ho, this is a false address to conceal the actual location and activities.]
Subordinate to: General Department of Atomic Energy (原子力總局), Cabinet (內閣)
Size: A total area of about 8.9 million square meters with approximately 390 buildings. The Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center has 10 affiliated research institutes.
Primary Function: Research and development
Description: The Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center was established within the Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Complex following the conclusion of two atomic energy agreements signed by North Korea and the USSR in late 1950s [Note: See chronology.] Construction of the center began in 1961 and was completed in 1964. Soviet specialists assisted in the Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center’s construction and initial operation, and the center’s total start-up costs were reportedly about $500 million (in 1962 US dollars). The center received an IRT-2000 research reactor from the Soviet Union in 1965, and the center has played the major role in North Koreas nuclear research and development ever since. The center is one of the four major nuclear-related organizations under the General Department of Atomic Energy. The other three organizations are the Isotope Application Committee (同位原素應用委員會), the Atomic Energy Committee (原子力部門委員會), and the Pyongyang Atomic Energy Academy (平壤原子力硏究院).”
The Yŏngbyŏn Nuclear Research Center has the following 10 research institutes under its jurisdiction:
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Updated April 2003 |
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Key Sources:
ROK Ministry of Unification, Pukhan Kaeyo 2000, (Seoul: Ministry of Unification, 1999), pp. 397, 413-414; “Pukhanŭi Wŏnjaryŏk Iyonggaebal Hyŏnhwang,” Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, <http://www.kaeri.re.kr>; Gregory Karouv, “A Technical History of Soviet-North Korean Nuclear Relations,” in James Clay Moltz and Alexandre Y. Mansourov, eds., The North Korean Nuclear Program: Security, Strategy, and New Perspectives from Russia (New York: Routledge, 2000), p. 17; Kang Ch’ŏl Hwan, “Haekkaebal Mecca Yŏngbyŏn Pun’gangjigu Saramdŭl,” Chosun Ilbo, 27 November 2001, <http://nk.chosun.com>; Kang Ch’ol-hwan, Chsoun Ilbo, 29 November 2001, in “Article on DPRK’s Nuclear Weapons Development Mecca—Graphic Attached,” FBIS Document ID: KPP20011129000123; Kim Yŏng Shik, “Haek Kaebal Ch’ongbonsan P’yŏngbuk Yŏngbyŏndanji,” Segye Ilbo, 30 April 1997, p. 17, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; “Haeshisŏl 18 Kot’e Inryŏk 3000 Myŏng,” Hankook Ilbo, 24 October 1994, p. 27, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>.
