SUNCHON CHEMICAL PLANT SUNCHON, NORTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• 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
• Publication Date: March 1, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

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
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 RECORD COPY N' I Dnn neTr I I nreTInu I I-.-_ I . - CATION
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DISPOSITION DATE(S)
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Dist. Unit #105-114
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TITLE NPIC SEC. CLASS. LOCATION 3 Y 25X1
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 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
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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.
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TOP. SECRET RUFF
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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.
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TOP SECRET RUFF
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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.
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TOP SECRET RUFF
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Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
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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
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TOP SECRET RUFF
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 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6
Top Secret
Top Secret
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010015-6