SUNCHON CHEMICAL PLANT SUNCHON, NORTH KOREA

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
10
Document Creation Date: 
December 28, 2016
Document Release Date: 
June 12, 2008
Sequence Number: 
15
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
March 1, 1969
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6.pdf173.73 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Top Secret DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE Industrial, Facilities (Non-Military) Basic Imagery Interpretation Report Sunchon Chemical Plant Sunchon, North Korea Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 RECORD COPY N' I Dnn neTr I I nreTInu I I-.-_ I . - CATION COPY I Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 DISPOSITION DATE(S) STOCK LEVE MINIMUM MAXIMUM 10 CUT TO COPIES 0 DATE 7-75 CUT TO COPIES DATE COPIES DESTROYED CUT TO COPIES DATE CUT TO COPIES DATE CUT TO COPIES DATE MASTER DATE DATE NUMBER OF COPIES DATE NUMBER OF COPIES NO. DAY YR. RECEIVED OR ISSUED RECD ISS'D DAL Mo. DAY YR. RECEIVED OR ISSUED RECD ISS D SAL 5 6 69 Dist. Unit #105-114 10 10 #)6-e TITLE NPIC SEC. CLASS. LOCATION 3 Y 25X1 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79TOO909A000400010015-6 DATE I I REI A ro ed For Release 2008/06/12 CIA RDP79T00909A000400010015 6 NUMBER OF COPIES MO. DAY YR. pp v RECD 1SS-D : DAL - MO. DAY YR. - RECD ISS'D SAL TITLE N PTC! 25X1 SEC CLASS LOCATION . . Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES 39-25-ION 125-56-35E RCS 13/0238/69 25X1 LOA] COMIREX NO. WAC-P I C NO. 25X1 I None None MAP REFERENCE 15th RTS. USATC Series 200, ~hept 8 -3HL 5th edition, Feb 68 Scale 1:200,000 (SECRE Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 TOP SECRET RUFF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Directorate of Intelligence Imagery Analysis Service Not Required The Sunchon Chemical Plant was complete and in operation prior to June 1962, when it was first studied on photography. Several minor support buildings were added between 1962 and 1967, but no significant changes were made. Since 1967, the limestone handling facilities have been greatly expanded. Calcium carbide and calcium cyanamide are produced at this plant. -I- TOP. SECRET RUFF Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 TOP SECRET RUFF The Sunchon Chemical Plant is located at the eastern edge of the city of Sunchon on the west bank of the Taedong Gang (River). A collocated transformer substation supplies the plant with large amounts of electricity. -2- TOP SECRET RUFF Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 TOP SECRET RUFF BASIC DESCRIPTION The plant is irregular in shape, has maximum dimensions of 2,960 by 1,450 feet, and occupies 100 acres. The installation is partially walled. The river and hills form natural boundaries around the unwalled portion. The plant is served by a good road network and a railroad spur from the Pyongyang to Kaechon main rail line. The primary products of the plant are calcium carbide and calcium cyanamide. Coke and quicklime are heated to a very high temperature in the electric furnaces to produce calcium carbide. The calcium cyanamide is produced by reacting nitrogen with calcium carbide. When first studied on photography of June 1962, the plant was complete and in operation. Dust and straining on the buildings and the general appearance of the plant indicated that it had been in operation for some time. Several minor support buildings were added between June 1962 and December 1967, but no significant construction was noted during this time. Since December 1967, the limestone handling facilities have been expanded, and a new limestone handling building has been added at the end of the rail spurs. Smoke from the stack of the rotary kiln building and fluctuations in the number of rail cars in the plant indicated that the plant was in operation on all coverage between June 1962 and March 1968. Although the plant did not appear to be in operation in May 1968, smoke coming from the calcium carbide furnaces on September 1968 coverage indicated that production had resumed. -3- TOP SECRET RUFF Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Iq Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 TOP SECRET RUFF Maps and Charts 15th RTS. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0380-3HL 5th edition, February 1968, Scale 1:200,000 (SECRET Requirement -6- TOP SECRET RUFF Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6 Top Secret Top Secret Approved For Release 2008/06/12 CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6