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Re: list members arguing
Title: Re: list members arguing
YSK,
> NK had a world renowned chemist educated in Japan (several NK guns are named
> after him - BTW, he also invented a fiber similar to nylon), who had invented
> explosives well-suited for nuke triggering.
>
I was unaware that Yi Sung-ki had several weapons named after him. Which
weapons would they be?
For those on the list who are unfamiliar with Yi, I’ve attached a brief
extract from a report that I wrote a long time ago about the birth of the
DPRK’s nuclear program. Please note that this was taken from an early draft
(I can’t seem to find the final paper in my files) and contains some
grammar errors. Additionally, as this was part of a broader DPRK research
project I was using their terms for events (e.g., Korean War = Fatherland
Liberation War) in an effort to educate the readers. I also deleted the
footnotes for a variety of reason. ;-) Finally, this extract is copyrighted
and I would request that list members not use it elsewhere without first
asking permission (which I typically agree to).
Best regards,
Joe B.
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.
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“Yi Sung-ki
It is presently unclear as to whether the DPRK initiated its nuclear program
as the result of a government initiated decision acted upon by its
scientific community, or the other way around. With a small grouping of
scientists urging the government to commence nuclear research. Regardless of
the answer to this somewhat academic question, the birth of the DPRK’s
indigenous nuclear program clearly rests with the activities and desires of
a small group of Japanese trained Korean scientists. Most notable among
these was Yi Sung-ki, who may be considered the father of the DPRK’s nuclear
program.
As a young man Yi traveled to Japan to attend Kyoto University and study
chemical engineering. Upon graduation he worked at the university’s
Chemical Research Institute, where he would gain fame as the developer of
vinalon - a nylon derivative. During the World War II he worked here in
support of Japan's war effort. Although it is not known with certainty, it
is believed that while here Yi gained a working knowledge of some facets of
Japan’s nuclear bomb program. With Japan’s surrender in 1945, Yi returned
home to Korea, becoming the dean of the Engineering College at Kyonsong
University in Seoul (later renamed Seoul National University). Yi soon
became disenchanted with the ROK for a variety of reasons and moved to the
DPRK shortly after the Fatherland Liberation War had begun.
Yi was welcomed with open arms and appointed to the DPRK’s Academy of
Sciences. During 1952 he became the director of the Academy’s Chemical
Research Institute. Although Yi soon became involved in a number of
important projects, such as the establishment of an industrial level vinalon
production capability (which was finally attained in 1961), he apparently
took a specific interest in nuclear related research. By the end of
Fatherland Liberation War in 1953, he is believed to have overseen the
establishment of a program for basic nuclear research at the Hungnam
Fertilizer Plant (presently known as the Hungnam Fertilizer or Hungnam
Chemical Complex). It is interesting to note that this was the site of
Japan’s wartime nuclear bomb program.
First Stirrings
Yi is also believed to have been the moving force behind the DPRK’s prompt
entry into international nuclear activities. During June 1955
representatives of the DPRK Academy of Sciences participated in the East
European scientific conference on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This
was soon followed by the conclusion of two agreements between the DPRK and
Soviet Union concerning nuclear research on 26 March and 7 September 1956.
These agreements apparently not only included provisions for a limited
number of DPRK personnel to receive schooling in nuclear physics within the
Soviet Union, but also for Soviet assistance in the establishment of a
formal nuclear research program under the auspices of the DPRK’s Academy of
Sciences. Funds for which, were allocated from the 5-Year Economic Plan
(i.e., 1956-1961).
That same year, in support of its agreements with the Soviet Union, the DPRK
Academy of Sciences established its first formal nuclear entity - the Radio
Chemistry Institute. It would appear that the core for this new institute
was drawn from Yi’s nuclear research program in Hungnam. The site chosen for
the institute was Yong-dong, located approximately 90 km north of P’yongyang
and 4.7 km west of the ancient walled city of Yongbyon, along the
Kuryong-gang.
The 1956 DPRK-Soviet agreements were also accompanied by the creation of
nuclear physics departments and related curricula at Kim Il-song University
and Kimch’aek College of Science. The curricula covered basic nuclear
physics and were designed to provide a firm foundation for nuclear research
and technical personnel. These universities have been responsible for the
academic education of the majority of the DPRK’s nuclear scientists and
technicians.
Three years later, during 1959, the DPRK signed additional protocols on the
peaceful use of nuclear energy with both the Soviet Union and the PRC. The
agreement with the Soviet Union is believed to have centered around their
provision of an IRT-2000 research reactor and a critical assembly.
The signing of the 1956 and 1959 agreements signaled the beginning of a
long, and occasionally intermittent, relationship between these the Soviet
Union and PRC and the DPRK within the nuclear field. Since that time large
numbers of DPRK scientists, technicians, and KPA officers have traveled to
both the Soviet Union and PRC to receive nuclear related training.
Aside from the above noted activities, the immediate post-war period is also
believed to have witnessed the first rudimentary DPRK efforts to locate and
mine natural uranium ore . These operations were probably based upon earlier
Japanese and Soviet efforts relating to both monazite and uranium.”