Hamhung
N39°54' E127°32'
February 8th Vinalon Complex
University of Chemical Industry
Academy of Defense Science [Hamhung Branch]
North Korea has at least eight industrial facilities that can produce chemical agents; however, the production rate and types of munitions are uncertain. Presumably one or more of the agents [sarin, tabun, phosgene, adamsite, prussic acid and a family of mustard gases] comprising the basis of North Korean chemical weapons are produced at the February 8th Vinalon Complex, probably blister and nerve agent precursors.
A pesticide plant in Hamhung started operating in September, 1989. North Korea claims it produces non-poisonous, good quality pesticides. Its products include (chlorochanol), DM chloride, and simazine, materials that can be diverted for making chemical weapons.
The Academy of Defense Science [Hamhung Branch] is one of at least four chemical weapons research and development facilities, and there is speculation that the University of Chemical Industry [formerly the Hamhung University of Chemical Industry] may have some connection with chemical technology associated with the North Korean nuclear weapons program.
Sources and Resources
- 'Vinalon', the North's proud invention
- South Korea: Monthly on DPRK Weapons of Mass Destruction : FBIS-EAS-98-325 : 21 Nov 1998
- "North Korea's Nuclear Infrastructure," Joseph Bermudez, Jane's Intelligence Review February 1994, pages 74-79.
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/facility/hamhung.htm
Maintained by Webmaster
Updated Tuesday, November 23, 1999 2:48:19 PM
