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1947

Dr. Chao Yang, a North Korean specialist, assists the Soviet Union in surveying North Korea’s monazite mines. The Soviets use the thorium and uranium-oxide found in monazite. Thorium-oxide can be converted into a fissionable substance when mixed with uranium in an “atomic pile.” The Soviets initiate the expansion of monazite mines for export back to the Soviet Union.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, p.594.

1950s-1960s

North Korea sends engineers to the Soviet Union to study nuclear technology.

Cho Kap-che, Wolgan Choson (Seoul), April 1990, pp.220-255.

1950s-1960s

The Soviet Union and China provide North Korea with nuclear training and cooperation opportunities.

Leonard S. Spector and Jacqueline R. Smith, Arms Control Today, March 1991, p.9.

1952

China reportedly sends a leading scientist, Wang Ganchung, to North Korea on a secret mission to collect radioactive material.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, p.594.

June 1955

Representatives from the North Korean Academy of Sciences participate in the East European scientific conference on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.405.

February 1956

North Korea and the Soviet Union conclude two agreements on nuclear research. The agreement contains provisions for a specific number of North Korean personnel to be trained in nuclear physics in the Soviet Union.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.405; So Yong-ha, Hoguk (Seoul), July 1989, pp.119-122.

1959

North Korea signs additional protocols on peaceful uses of nuclear energy with the Soviet Union and China. This marks the beginning of a relationship between North Korea and the Soviet Union and China in the field of nuclear technology. Under the North Korean-Soviet agreement, the Soviet Union promises to assist North Korea’s Academy of Sciences in building a nuclear research facility. The agreement also stipulates that a nuclear research-related curriculum be created at the Kim Il-sung University and the Kimch’aek College of Sciences.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review,

September 1991, pp.405-406.

1960s

North Korea acquires conventional Purex reprocessing technology from the Soviet Union.

Mark Hibbs, Nucleonics Week, 11 February 1993, p.15.

1960-1969

China and Russia reject North Korea’s requests for assistance in creating a nuclear weapons program.

Yonhap (Seoul), 13 April 1993.

1960s-1970s

Approximately 250 North Korean researchers are training in the Soviet Union. Another report states that 3,000 North Korean personnel are trained in the Soviet Union between 1961-1967.

Kang Sin-ku, Kyonghyang Sinmun (Seoul), 29 April 1991, p.13; Song Yong-sun, Vantage Point, August 1991, pp.1-10.

1962

North Korea establishes an Atomic Energy Institute.

Yonhap (Seoul), 9 February 1990.

1964

North Korea conducts an extensive countrywide uranium mining survey with assistance from China. The survey concludes that approximately four million tons of commercial grade uranium ore is located in the northeast portion of the country near Unggi, Hamhung, and the Haegum-gang District, and in the south near P’yongsan. According to Joseph Bermudez, however, these figures are over-exaggerated.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.406.

1964

North Korea establishes a nuclear research facility at Yongbyon.

Leonard S. Spector and Jacqueline R. Smith, Arms Control Today, March 1991, p.9.

Mid-1960s

North Korea obtains nuclear equipment from various countries, including Austria and France.

Washington Times, 30 October 1991, p.A11.

May-June 1965

North Korea receives a 2MW IRT-nuclear research reactor from the Soviet Union. In exchange for the reactor, North Korea exports the spent fuel from the reactor back to the Soviet Union. The reactor is a pool-type reactor that uses highly-enriched uranium for fuel. In addition to the reactor, the Soviet Union supplies North Korea with a small 0.1MW critical assembly. Both the reactor and critical assembly are installed at Yongbyon and placed under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.406; Leonard Spector, Nuclear Ambitions: The Spread Of Nuclear Weapons 1989-1990, (Westview Press: 1990), p.139; Yonhap (Seoul), 9 February 1990.

1967

North Korea’s 2MW IRT-research reactor reportedly becomes operational. The reactor is presumably used to produce radioactive isotopes for medicine and industry, as well as for purposes of scientific research.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.406.

August 1968

The Soviet Union refuses to export a 100MW reactor to North Korea.

Song Yong-sun, Vantage Point, August 1991, pp.1-10.

9 August 1968

The Soviet Union reports that it has provided North Korea with a nuclear power plant (referring to the 2MW research reactor).

So Yong-ha, Hoguk (Seoul), July 1989, pp.119-122.

April 1974

North Korean President Kim Il-sung travels to China. It is suspected that during his visit he asks Chinese Premier Chou Enlai to assist North Korea in establishing a nuclear weapons program, and furthermore, that North Korea be placed under China’s “nuclear umbrella.” China expands nuclear cooperation and training for North Korean nuclear scientists and technicians. It is unknown whether China transfers nuclear weapons-related technology to North Korea.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.408.

Mid-1970s-1980

North Korea begins planning for the expansion of its nuclear infrastructure, as well as for the construction of an indigenously designed 5MW graphite-moderated, gas-cooled reactor. Intelligence sources believe that construction of the reactor begins in 1980. Another source, however, pinpoints the starting date as September 1980. The size and the design of the reactor suggest that its primary purpose is to produce plutonium. The reactor is built without foreign assistance. The construction of the reactor, research facilities, road and rail nets, power grids and housing suggests that North Korea is following the Chinese model of reactor construction.

According to a South Korean report, Kyong Won-ha, a former US nuclear engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and a former professor at McGill University in Canada, reportedly gave North Korea design information on a Canadian heavy-water research reactor. This data may have been helpful in constructing the 5MW reactor. Other reports, however, say that the reactor may be based on a French reactor design, which is well suited for plutonium production. It is also possible that North Korea either developed the skills and technology indigenously to build the reactor after upgrading the Soviet-supplied research reactor, or that the reactor was developed by North Koreans trained in the Soviet Union.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.408; Cho Kap-che, Wolgan Choson (Seoul), April 1990, pp.220-225; Mark Hibbs, Nucleonics Week, 22 November 1990, pp.6-7; Nuclear Fuel, 7 August 1989, pp.7-8;

June 1976

The United States and South Korea conduct Team Spirit military exercises for the first time. The exercise involves a large-scale movement of troops and practice in using nuclear weapons in the region.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.257.

Late-1970s

According to an official from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, North Korean President Kim Il-sung authorizes the North Korean Academy of Science, the army, and the Ministry of Public Security to begin implementing a nuclear weapons program, including rapid expansion of existing facilities at Yongbyon.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.253.

31 March 1977

While in China, North Korean Workers Party Secretary Kang Song-san visits China’s Lop Nur nuclear test and research facility. Kang also attends a reception hosted by the Seventh Machine Industry Ministry. The Seventh Machine Industry Ministry is responsible for China’s ballistic missile development.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.408.

20 July 1977

North Korea signs a “Type 66” agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agreement allows the IAEA to monitor the Soviet-supplied 2MW IRT-research reactor and 0.1MW critical assembly located at Yongbyon.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.406.

17 August 1978

The Soviet Union announces that a North Korean scientist is conducting nuclear energy research at a Soviet nuclear research center.

So Yong-ha, Hoguk (Seoul), July 1989, pp.119-122.

1979

US experts believe that site preparation for North Korea’s 5MW reactor begins.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.253.

1980s

North Korea sends engineers to Pakistan to study nuclear technology.

Cho Kap-che, Wolgan Choson (Seoul), April 1990, pp.220-255.

May 1981

A high-level delegation from the international department of the East German Communist Party visits Pyongyang. A memorandum to the East German Politburo says that “[North Korea] is strongly interested in the importation of nuclear power stations. There it is estimated that they do not by any means exclude the military use of nuclear technology.” One former East German official says that the “cautiously worded report” seriously understated North Korea’s “ardor.” Rather, North Korea “said very frankly, ‘We need the atom bomb.’”

Don Oberdorfer, The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.253.

Spring 1982

US photographs depict site preparation for North Korea’s 5MW reactor.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.253.

April 1982

A US surveillance satellite photographs what appears to be a nuclear reactor vessel under construction at Yongbyon.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.250.

1983

The United States objects to the transfer of nuclear weapons technology from the Soviet Union to North Korea. The Soviet Union responds by refusing to grant North Korea further assistance.

Song Yong-sun, Vantage Point, August 1991, pp.1-10.

1984

According to Joseph Bermudez, North Korea begins constructing a 50-200MW reactor at Yongbyon. He states that the reactor project is first detected after it is already 50 percent complete. Other sources pinpoint the beginning of construction in 1985. Given the size of the reactor and the fact that it is not connected to a power grid for power generation, it appears that the reactor will be used for nuclear weapons production. The reactor may be capable of producing 7-8kg of weapons-grade material annually, which is enough to produce one or two small nuclear bombs. The reactor is expected to become operational by 1992.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, p.597; Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, pp.408-409; Sin Tong-A (Seoul), December 1990, pp.212-228.

March 1984

US satellite photographs depict the outline of a cylindrical nuclear smokestack at Yongbyon.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.250.

May 1984

North Korean President Kim Il-sung travels to Moscow to meet with Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko. During their meeting, he requests that the Soviet Union provide North Korea with civil nuclear power stations to compensate for its power shortage problems. As a result of their dialogue, both countries sign a nuclear power agreement.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.254.

Mid-1980s-1991

South Korean sources estimate that North Korea has conducted approximately 70 explosions at the test site located along the banks of the Yuryong river (south of Yongdong). North Korea responds by stating that the allegation is nonsense and any depressions along the banks of the Kuryong are either naturally occurring phenomenon or “fish ponds.”

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, February 1994, p.79.

1985

The United States identifies North Korea’s 5MW reactor. US satellite photographs show that it is a “virtual replica of the 60MW Calder Hall magnox reactor,” the United Kingdom’s first reactor that began operating in 1956. It appears as if the North Korea used declassified information on the design of the Calder Hall reactor to build its 5MW reactor.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, pp.594, 597.

1985-1986

A North Korean team travels to France to learn about technology used in designing nuclear reactors. North Korea obtains nuclear technology from France, as well as nuclear technology and information needed for weapons development from Australia.

Seoul Sinmun (Seoul), 9 October 1991, p.5.

12 December 1985

North Korea signs the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Under the provisions of the NPT, North Korea has 18 months to negotiate and sign a safeguards agreement with the IAEA.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.409; Don Oberdorfer, The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.254.

26 December 1985

North Korean Workers Party Secretary Kang Song-san signs a science and technology agreement with the Soviet Union. The agreement is made in exchange for North Korea acceding to the NPT. Under the agreement, the Soviet Union will construct a nuclear power plant in North Korea, as well as commit to a long-term agreement on trade and economic co-operation from 1986-1990. The power plant, which will be built near Sinp’o (north Hamgyong Province), will consist of four 440MW reactors (1760MW in total).

Asahi Shimbun (Tokyo), 19 May 1992, p.20; Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.409.

1986

North Korea issues a Soviet-supported proposal for establishing a nuclear-weapons-free zone on the Korean Peninsula.

Leonard S. Spector and Jacqueline R. Smith, Arms Control Today, March 1991, p.12.

1986-late 1990

North Korea makes numerous public statements claiming that it will not produce nuclear weapons.

Andrew Mack, Foreign Policy, Summer 1991, pp.87-104.

February 1986

According to US Army Chief of Staff General John Wickham “We don’t see evidence of [North Korea having a] nuclear capability, but we will look very carefully to find out about that.”

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, p.597.

March 1986

Satellite photographs of Yongbyon depict cylindrical craters in the sand near a river bank. Analysts familiar with the patterns of nuclear weapons testing believe that they are the residue of experimental high-explosive detonations. A restudy of similar photographs shows similar craters in the same area since 1983. Satellite photographs also depict the outlines of a large, oblong building, nearly the length of two football fields, under construction at Yongbyon.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.250.

April 1986

The Soviet Union announces that it will export four VVER-440MW reactors to North Korea. The reactors will be placed under IAEA safeguards.

Song Yong-sun, Vantage Point, August 1991, pp.1-10.

15 September 1986-15 October 1987

Degussa AG, a West German company, re-exports shipments of zirconium from the United States to North Korea. Zirconium is used to manufacture uranium fuel rods.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.409.

Late-1986

North Korea completes its experimental 5MW reactor.

Song Yong-son, Sindong-A (Seoul), August 1990, pp.206-215.

December 1986

North Korea installs the experimental 5MW reactor at Yongbyon.

Sin Tong-A (Seoul), December 1990, pp.212-228.

29 December 1986

The North Korean Ministry of Atomic Power Industry is established under the leadership of Choe Hak-kun. The purpose of the ministry is to assist North Korea in acquiring a nuclear power-generating capability.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.409.

1987

North Korea enlists the help of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chochongnyon) to organize a

group of approximately 80 scientists and technicians to obtain technological intelligence. Many of the individuals are employed in the nuclear field.

Chosun Ilbo (Seoul), 3 April 1990, p.5.

1987

In response to a North Korean request for research and development materials, Japan sends 21,000 scientific documents to North Korea.

Chosun Ilbo (Seoul), 3 April 1990, p.5.

1987

According to North Korean defector Kim Chong-min (aka Choe Sang-kyu), North Korea’s 5MW nuclear reactor becomes operational. Between 1983-1987, Kim worked as the Deputy Director Supply Section of the Engineering Department of North Korea’s Ministry of Public Security. He was responsible for supplying the Korean Workers Party with materials. A majority of the materials were directed to Yongbyon. He was later appointed as President of the Taeyang Trading Company, which specializes in trading cobalt and uranium. Kim defected to South Korea on 1 May 1988.

According to a separate report written by Song Yong-son, North Korea’s 5MW reactor began operations in the spring of 1987. The report also claims that the reactor is capable of producing 6-8kg of plutonium annually.

On 5 February 1987 steam is seen venting from the cooling tower of the 5MW reactor. This suggests that the reactor is complete and being tested. Intelligence sources believe that the reactor begins operating at full-power in October 1987.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 12 October 1991, p.653; Leonard S. Spector and Jaqueline R. Smith, Arms Control Today, March 1991, p.9; Sekye Ilbo (Seoul), 30 October 1991, p.1; So Yong-ha, Hoguk (Seoul), July 1989, pp.119-122; Song Yong-son, Sindong-A (Seoul), August 1990, pp.206-215.

1987

Due to suspicions that North Korea is attempting to develop nuclear weapons, China stops all transfers of nuclear technology and withdraws its nuclear technicians from the country. The Chinese are particularly upset that North Korea did not provide them with information about the facility at Yongbyon.

Choson Ilbo (Seoul), 8 September 1992, p.2.

1987-1990

A German intelligence agency determines that North Korea may have obtained uranium melting information from Pakistan. It is suspected that the information was stolen from Urenco, a Western European consortium, in 1984. The agency also discovers that dual-use furnace equipment, manufactured by Leybold AG, was illegally exported to North Korea in the 1980s. It is speculated that some of the Leybold equipment was exported or re-exported to North Korea via India, Pakistan and the former East Germany. Additionally, German intelligence discovers that uranium enrichment information may have been diverted from Uranit GmbH to Pakistan via Switzerland, and then illegally exported to North Korea. It suspects that North Korea obtained a furnace in 1987, which may have been re-exported by East Germany. West German and US intelligence sources believe that Leybold personnel have been directly involved in the North Korean nuclear program. One or two Leybold technicians were in North Korea in 1989, and a company official was there in 1990.

Mark Hibbs, Nucleonics Week, 28 November 1991, pp.1, 7-8.

February 1987

A US satellite photographs the inside of an unroofed plant. The photographs show a long series of thick-walled cells, which are arranged in a configuration typical of a plutonium separation facility.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.251.

Mid-1987

The IAEA learns that it has mistakenly sent the wrong type of safeguards agreement document to North Korea. The agreement sent is designed for individual sites rather than for general inspections. Due to its error, the IAEA grants North Korea another eighteen months to negotiate and sign a safeguards agreement.

Don Oberdorfer, The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA; Addison-Wesley, 1997), pp.254-255.

1988-1989

According to Joseph Bermudez, construction of the reprocessing facility at Yongbyon begins. In contrast, Leonard Spector states that construction began in 1987, whereas other sources identify 1985 as the starting date. Once completed, the reprocessing facility will allow North Korea to extract uranium and plutonium from spent fuel rods that can then be used to produce nuclear weapons. The facility is expected to become operational by 1994 or 1995.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.409; Sin Tong-A (Seoul), December 1990, pp.212-228, Jaqueline R. Smith and Leonard S. Spector, Arms Control Today, March 1991, p.9.

May 1988

The IAEA conducts inspections of the Soviet-supplied 2MW IRT-research reactor at Yongbyon.

Song Yong-sun, Vantage Point, August 1991, pp.1-10.

June 1988

Photographs show a 50MW reactor under construction at Yongbyon.

Don Oberdorfer, Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.251.

September 1988

North Korea’s attempt to smuggle 1,300 pieces of equipment (e.g., semiconductors and computers) from Japan is exposed. North Korea, however, continues to try to obtain vacuum pumps from Japan.

Chosun Ilbo (Seoul), 3 April 1990, p.5.

Late-1988

US satellite photographs depict what is suspected to be a nuclear reprocessing facility under construction near the 5MW reactor at Yongbyon.

Andrew Mack, International Herald Tribune (Paris), 8 January 1990.

December 1988

The deadline for North Korea to negotiate and sign the IAEA safeguards agreement passes. North Korea makes no attempt to sign the agreement.

Don Oberdorfer, The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997), p.255.

1989

According to some reports, North Korea’s 5MW reactor still has its original fuel rods.

Arms Control Reporter, April 1991, pp.457, E1.

Early-1989

US satellites detect construction activity of additional nuclear-related facilities at Yongbyon. The facilities include a research center, housing complex, nuclear detonation test site, a third 50-200MW reactor, and a reprocessing facility. Satellite pictures show that the crater-like nuclear detonation site, located near the Kuryong-gang River, is being used to develop explosive technologies for imploding nuclear cores. With the assistance of French SPOT satellite photographs, two Japanese scientists from Tokai University publish an analysis of the Yongbyon facilities, confirming the US satellite photographs.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.408.

12 January 1989

A North Korean delegation lead by Vice Minister Hong Gun-pyo leaves for the Soviet Union.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, p.597.

February 1989

According to Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard A. Shevardnadze, North Korea will be capable of manufacturing nuclear weapons sometime in the future.

Seoul Sinmun (Seoul), 7 March 1990, p.2.

May 1989

The North Korean Ministry of Atomic Power Industry concludes a nuclear energy-related agreement with the East German Nuclear and Radioactive Safety Committee. The agreement, which permits technology transfers of nuclear energy for “peaceful purposes,” is an extension of the agreement signed in 1984.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Intelligence Review, September 1991, p.410; Sindong-A (Seoul), December 1991.

7 May 1989

A research group at Kim Il-sung University in North Korea reportedly succeeds in conducting a nuclear fusion reaction at room temperature. The methodology used in the test is traced back to University of Utah researchers Dr. Pons and Dr. Fleischmann.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, p.597.

22 May 1989

Choe Hak-kun of the North Korean Ministry of Atomic Energy, and Stanislav Havel of the Czechoslovakian Nuclear Energy Commission sign a protocol on “cooperation in the field of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.”

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jane’s Defence Weekly, 23 September 1989, p.597.

June 1989

The IAEA conducts inspections of the Soviet-supplied 2MW IRT-research reactor at Yongbyon.

Song Yong-sun, Vantage Point, August 1991, pp.1-10.

June 1989

While in South Korea, US nuclear experts announce that North Korea has developed a nuclear detonator test site near Yongbyon.

Andrew Mack, International Herald Tribune (Paris), 8 January 1990.

4 June 1989

The Soviet Union and China refuse to assist North Korea in developing a nuclear reprocessing facility.

Kim Hak-kyong, Korea Herald (Seoul), 4 June 1989, pp.2, 5.

July 1989

US Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney demands that North Korea place all of its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.

Hanguk Ilbo (Seoul), 22 August 1989, p.2.

19 July 1989

The IAEA trains North Koreans in methods used to locate and mine uranium deposits.

John J. Fialka, Wall Street Journal, 19 July 1989, p.16.

29 July 1989

US government officials warn the South Korean government that North Korea is accelerating its nuclear weapons program. According to Leonard Spector of the Carnegie Foundation, North Korea is capable of extracting plutonium and therefore will be able to produce one or two atomic bombs a year.

Na Yong-su, Television Service (Seoul), 29 July 1989.

4 August 1989

North Korea issues a statement declaring in “clear terms” that it does not develop nuclear weapons.

Korean Central News Agency (Pyongyang), 4 August 1989; in FBIS-EAS-89-149.

7 August 1989

According to the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, it appears that North and South Korea are developing nuclear weapons in a competitive manner.

Hangyore Sinmun (Seoul), 13 August 1989, p.6.

17 August 1989

The vice-chairman of the North Korean anti-nuclear peace committee Yi Song-ho denies US reports that North Korea wants to produce nuclear weapons in order to deter US nuclear deployments in Korea. He says that North Korea’s policy is anti-war and anti-nuclear and that it does not have the technology to produce nuclear weapons.

Nuclear Developments, 29 August 1989, p.3.

22 August 1989

US analysts suspect that North Korea is only a few years from utilizing plutonium extracted from its reprocessing facilities to produce nuclear weapons.

Hanguk Ilbo (Seoul), 22 August 1989, p.2.

29 August 1989

A North Korean delegation attends a meeting of the International Agency on Atomic Energy (MAGATE) in Sofia, Bulgaria. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss strengthening international cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy.

Nuclear Developments, 18 September 1989, p.7.

September 1989

US Secretary of State James A. Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze meet to discuss suspicions that North Korea has a nuclear weapons program. During the meeting, Baker expresses concern about North Korea’s research reactor, and its non-compliance with the IAEA safeguards agreement.

Michael R. Gordon, New York Times, 25 October 1989, p.A4.

September 1989

At an IAEA meeting, Japanese and Australian officials emphasize the need for North Korea to sign the IAEA safeguards agreement. The Soviet Union calls for all NPT signatories to agree to IAEA safeguards.

Michael R. Gordon, New York Times, 25 October 1989, p.A4.

September 1989

According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, North Korea will have a nuclear weapons capability within five years.

Kyodo (Tokyo), 8 February 1990.

September 1989

South Korea’s National Unification Board reports that North Korea has not begun building the 1760MW nuclear power plant. Under the 1985 North Korean-Soviet agreement, the plant was to be completed in 1990.

Shin Ho-chul, Nucleonics Week, 28 September 1989, p.6.

October 1989

North Korea says that the establishment of the Korean Peninsula as a nuclear-weapons-free zone is a precondition before it can sign the IAEA safeguards agreement.

O Tae-chin, Chosun Ilbo (Seoul), 3 April 1990, p.2.

25 October 1989

According to a US government expert, North Korea is building a plutonium extraction plant near the 5MW reactor. It is speculated that plutonium will be removed from the reactor’s spent fuel rods.

Michael R. Gordon, New York Times, 25 October 1989, p.A4.

26 October 1989

A South Korean government report claims that North Korea is capable of making 13-33 Hiroshima-sized nuclear bombs.

Korea Times (Seoul), 7 October 1989, p.3.

November 1989

It is estimated that 650 East German scientists reside in North Korea. Some of the scientists are specialists in “peaceful uses of nuclear power.”

Sindong-A (Seoul), December 1991.

9 November 1989

North Korea proposes negotiations to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

Nuclear Developments, 4 January 1991, pp.4-5.

Acknowledgements:
Brooke Milton and Gaurav Kampani
© Center for Nonproliferation Studies,
Monterey Institute of International Studies

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