Uncovering The Truth About North Korea's Alleged Underground Nuclear Facility: The Kumchang-ri

CNS Center for Nonproliferation Studies ^ | July 1999 | Brooke Milton and Gaurav Kampani,

[PghBaldy]

"...there is strong information that makes us suspicious but we lack conclusive evidence that the intended purpose of the underground site is nuclear related." --US Ambassador Charles Kartman, 21 November 1998 [1]

What is Kumchang-ri? Kumchang-ri is an underground site located northwest of Yongbyon, North Korea's frozen nuclear complex. It has been speculated that the site housed, or was intended to house a nuclear reactor or reprocessing facility.[2] Construction of Kumchang-ri is estimated to be complete within two to six years, depending on the amount of foreign assistance received.[3] North Korea continues to deny reports that the site is nuclear-related or intended to be, rather it says that Kumchang-ri is a civilian site.[4]

[PghBaldy]

...b. "Is US policy towards North Korea effective? The discovery of Kumchang-ri and the 31 August 1998 Taep'o-dong-1 missile launch caused many US officials to question the viability of the Agreed Framework."

Even though I thought the Agreed Framweork was a dud, it helps to have reports from different sources, especially before Jan 2001. ;)