THE ADMINISTRATION, CAPABILITIES AND PERSONNEL OF THE LABORATORY OF THE MINISTRY OF METALS INDUSTRY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A062900530001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 25
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 12, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 15, 1962
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
Ministry of Metals Industry:
'iistory:
1. In early days following the T3berat;on in 1945,the Industry Bureau of the
North Korean People's Committee had one laboratory which performed analysis
of test mineral pieces from metal and coal mines under the control of the
Industry Bureau. The purpose of the analysis was to obtain guides to direc-
tions of future drifting operations as well as to judge the components of
the minerals of the mines. In addition to this category of anal.ysis, the
laboratory performed analysis required in the course of geological surveys
which were conducted sporadically. `iowever, the capacity of the labo-
ratory was believed to have been relatively limited because of the meager
facilities and the limit of experience of the specialists. In l946,when the
Cabinet was organized it was proposed to establish in the Ministry of 'Teavy
Industry a separate analysis laboratory for mineral mines and metals industry
enterprises, but it proved to be abortive because of the shortage of spe-
cialists. In its place a laboratory in the name of Analysis Department was
established in the Mining Research Station which was under the control of
the Ministry of `Teavy Industry. During the Korean War the Analysis Depart-
ment did not move to safety along with the Mining Research. Station, but
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-O-N-QfoRlf -N-T- I- Ar T;
-2-
remained together with the Geological Survey Group which was under the control
of the Geological Survey Management Bureau, Ministry of heavy Industry, per-
forming analysis of test mineral materials at the iatter's request. In the
meantime, the Mining Research Station, which was not under the control of
the Geological Survey Management Group but was under the control of the
Technical Bureau of the same ministry, gave priority to analysis of concent-
rated test mineral materials and neglected the analysis of test materials
requested by the survey branch. The Geological Survey Management Bureau
desired to have its own laboratory but no analysis specialists were avail-
able. The bureau brought the problem to the Ministry, which broke up the
Analysis Department of the Mining Research Station into two branches: one
for analysis of concentrated test mineral materials and the other for analy-
sis of test materials for geological surveys. After the Ministry of 'Ieavy
Industry was reorganized into the Ministry of Metals Industry and Ministry
of Coal Industry, the above two branches remained in juxtaposition in the
Mining Research Station, only analysis of coal being transferred to the
Coal Research Station which was under the control of the Ministry of Coal
Industry.
2. In the spring of 1956 when geological surveys became active and its work
load remarkably increased, t,e branch for analyses of test materials for
geological survsys borrowed a separate building in the Mining Research Sta-
tion and started independent operation, althoug', salaries and wages and other
support were provided out of the budget of the Mining Research Station. The
operation of the Mining Research Station entirely depended on government budget.
Tiowever, the amount settlement for its Analysis Department's analyses of test
materials for mines and enterprises was very complicated because of the
government budget system and, for this reason, the Analysis Department had
collected its analysis charges directly from customer enterprises. Thus the
Mining Research Station was operated with government budge', while its Analysis
Department was carrying on profitable business. In order to rectify this all
the analysis work of the Mining Research Station was transferred to a new
laboratory under the control of the Ministry of Metals Industry in December
1956, and the new laboratory performed analyses of test materials mainly
for geological surveys. Thus the laboratory was completely separated from
C-O-N-F--YT-I-A-r
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
WPM
the Mining Research Station ands became an enterprise of independent
accounting system. Outwardly it was under the direct control of the Iinistry
of Metals Industry, but it became an establishment virtually for exclusive
use by the Geological Survey Management Bureau. As a result it had an ade-
quate amount of analysis work during the period of April through October
each year when geological survey activities were on, but during the remaining
period of the year it had no analysis work and its operation on independent
accounting system became difficult. The laboratory was renamed the Ministry
of Metals Industry Analysis Station and began to perform analyses for iron
works, steel mills, and mines as well- as for geological surveys. Tiowever,
this plan also proved not to be very effective because of the shortage of
customers. The NK Academy of Sciences proposed to establish the Central.
Analysis Station with this laboratory as its parent body. Towever, this
plan was opposed by the Geological. Survey Management Bureau which insisted
on the importance of geological surveys and the necessity of timely analyses
for the surveys. As a result in 1958 the laboratory was made an establish-
ment half on government budget system and half on independent accounting
system, and it was provided with financial support from the government during
winter. Thus the Ministry of Metals Industry Laboratory emerged the largest
and best laboratory in NK, although it performed analyses mainly for geo-
logical surveys under the direction of the Geological Survey Management
bureau. In February 1960 when the `leavy Industry Committee was founded, it
was planned to incorporate the Ministry of Metals Industry Analysis Station
and the analysis laboratory of the boas industry branch into a larger scale
central, analysis station, but up to March 1990 the Korean labor Party had
not ratified the plan. In order to prevent confusion with the Academy of
Sciences Central Analysis Station, this laboratory was called the leavy
Industry Committee Analysis Station.
Organization and Functions:
3. As of 1959 the Ministry of Metals Industry Laboratory was located in the
vicinity of YD 42431.6 (N39-06, 1125-49), Sonkyo-ri, 5onkyo-guyok, P'yong-
yang-si and was in the following setups
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-T,
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C- O-N-F-I-D- -N-T- I-A-T,
NOFOR
-4-
laboratory Chief
ief Engineer
Confidential Documents Officer
Staff Instructor
FRear Service Department
Bookkeeping Department
Planning Department
Glass Factory
glance Room
-----Test Materials Room
Dispensary
Research Office
Assaying Analysis Room
Spectroscopic Analysis Room
Physical and Chemical Analysis Room
General Abalysis Room
4. The functions of the individual posts were as follows:
A. Laboratory Chief:
The position of the Laboratory Chief had been vacant up to the spring
of 19_59. As a result the Chief Engineer's time and efforts were torn
between the administrative and the technical branches, and the laboratory
freqently failed to produce in time results of its analyses requested by
the Geological Survey Group. The Chief Engineer came to be under severe
criticism, and finally, brought the problem to the higher echelon for a
solution. In the spring of 1959 YI Song-hui (2621/nta/nta), a Layman and
a former geological survey team leader, was appointed the laboratory
Chief. As a rule, the Taboratory Chief was to control. both the administ-
rative and the technical branches but, for lack of knowledge about analy-
sis, his duties became to be limited to the administrative branch, en-
trusting the Chief Engineer with supervision of the technical branch.
B. Chief Engineer:
Theoretically the Chief Engineer was subject to the supervision of the
laboratory Chief. LTowever, in reality, he independently directed and
C- 0-N -F -I -D-E-N - T- I-A -T,
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246A062900530001-5
C-O-N-F-I -D -E N-T-I-A-T.
NUFORN
supervised the whole technical branch.
C. Bookkeeping Department:
The Bookkeeping Department consisted of one Chief Bookkeeper and unknown
number of bookkeepers. It controlled the entire finance of the laboratory;
investigating the amounts and quantities of all necessary facilities,
equipment, and chemicals used; collecting analysis charges; computing and
paying salaries, wages, and bonuses; and keeping custody of precious
metals including gold and platinum.
D. Rear Service Department:
In the Rear Service Department there were seven clerical workers who were
supervised by one Department Chief. However, the stipulated number of
personnel of this department was four; three analysts were borrowed
from the various Analysis Rooms. The primary mission of the Rear Service
Department was to insure the livelihood of the employees. Its functions
included: procurement of rear service goods such as chemicals for analysis,
instruments and facilities; grain distribution; procurement of side dish
food; supply of goods for workers working under noxious conditions; and
sales of glass instruments produced at the Glass Factory of the laboratory.
E. Planning Department:
The Planning Department was headed by one Department Chief who supervised
two clerks who were hired with the budget for analysts, . one evaluation
clerk, and one organizational instructor. The Planning Department func-
tioned as the Staff Office of the T.aboratory: organizing all the pro-
jects; issuing work directions; sending out results of the Laboratory's
analyses to customers; and inviting requests for analyses from various
geological survey teams. For these functions the planning department
convened an administrative committee two times a month: once at the
beginning of the month to receive reports on activities scheduled for
the month from the head of each post and to adjust them, and adapting
the final versions of their plans, and another time at the end of the
month to review the status of execution of the plans, and to examine
and adjust the budget for each post. The administrative committee also
C-0 N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-T.
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246A062900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-0 N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-T
WORN
made plans of the contract systems and the bonus systems for the manage-
ment by the Bookkeeping Department and transmitted them to the latter,
prepared accounts of contract-system wages and bonuses by computing the
work volume of each employee and transmitted them to the Bookkeeping
Department. In order to promote the mutual. understanding of the administ-
rative and technical branches the Planning Department convened a technical,
council usually simultaneously with the administrative committee. The
purpose of the technical council was to promote smooth coordination between
the administrative and the technical branches. The Evaluation Clerk
measured with a stop watch. the work volume of the most capable and con-
scientious worker of each type of job and grade, and with the measurements
as criteria set the quotas for other workers. 'ie composed a work evalua-
tion committee, through which he consulted the standard worker of each
type of job and grade for computation of the most reasonable standard
work volumes.
F. Staff Instructor:
For the personnel administration of the laboratory one staff instructor
was assigned to the laboratory from the Ministry of Metals Industry
Staff Department. The staff instructor directed and supervised the per-
sonnel administration of employees hired at the discretion of the labora-
tory and kept personnel documents of staff members who were appointed and
assigned by the Ministry. 7e made reports on the care city and dutifulness
of all the employees to the Ministry Staff Department. TTe issued identi-
fication cards for employees, and recommended employees for medals and
citations.
G. Confidential Documents Officer:
One confidential document officer was responsible for sending, reception,
and custody of all the classified documents. 'Te kept the official seal
of the laboratory. 'ie played the role of a secretary to the Laboratory
Chief.
Ti. General Analysis Room:
The General. Analysis Room played the leading role at the laboratory,
performing chemical treatment and analyses of various test materials
C-0-N-F-I-D-ENT-I-A-T,
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-0-N-F-MST-T-I-.A-T,
-?-
requested. This Room had a total of about 60 employees including four
analysis engineers, and unknown numbers of assistant engineers and ap-
prentices. Previously, the analysis branch had been divided into the
General Analysis Room and the Special Analysis Room: the former for
analyses of test materials which could be analyzed easily, in large
quantities, and contained no obstructive element, and the latter for
analyses of test materials which required higher technical skill and
could not be analyzed in quantities. In the summer of 1.958 the above
two analysis rooms were incorporated for convenience' sake. The existing
General Analysis Room was so called for the old system, but in reality
it would have been more pertinent to call it the Chemical Analysis Room.
Up until 1958 analysts at the General Analysis Room worked on individual
basis in proportion to their analysis ability. Thereafter, however, the
analysts, were divided into teams, each consisting of three to four
skilled workers and two apprentices and performing stream line operation.
In a word, when a material for analysis was received by a member, all the
analyzing processed were not taken by the member alone, but by also others.
A team was divided into three subteams, and then each subteam undertook
respective analysis work. Therefore, an analyzing subteam performed only
analyzing work, and other processes were made by other subteams. At the
General Analysis Room were handled those materials that could be analyzed
chemically, and the contents that were analyzed from materials were as
follows: T,ead (Pb), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), sand (Si02), boron (B), barium
(Ba),Cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), bismuth (Bi), tungsten (W),
magnesium (Mig), calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), stannum (Sn), antimony or
stibium (Sb), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (M)),
arsenic (As), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), phosphorous (P), hydrargyrum
(TTg), iodine (I), natrium-kalium (Na, K).
I. Physical and Chemical Analysis Rooms
Under the supervision of two analysis engineers, about 20 technical workers
and apprentices were engaged in the physical analyzing of the test materials
that were treated chemicall.y. They chiefly analyzed test materials by
using a polarograph, a chromatograph, and a colorimeter. Tiowever, since
C_0-N_F_ I_D-.E-N _T-I _A_r
NnPnPN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
0-0-N-F1t, V-T-I-A-?,
-8-
there were contained much obstructive elements in the test materials,
they were sometimes unable to analyze some contents with the above in-
struments. For some contents they solved the problem of eliminating
obstructive elements, but for some other contents they could not eliminate
obstructive elements due to the lack of standard materials. When a material
was required much analyzing expenses, the material was analyzed chemically
to reduce expenses, though physical analysis was available. As of March
1960, materials analyzed with the polarograph were cadmium (Cd), zinc,
copper, lead, etc.; with the photoelectric colorimeter were barium, tita-
nium, oxidizing tungsten (W03), nickel, copper, phosphorous, cobalt, etc.;
but the chromatograph itself was still being studied for its use was not yet
known to NK technicians.
J. Spectroscopic Analysis Room:
This Room maintained three analysis engineers and approximately 30 techni~
clans and apprentices. Using spectrum analyzing apparatuses, they engaged
in qualitative analysis. Due to lack of techniques, they could not make
quantitative analysis. Much of the spectrum analyses were made to pro-
vide preliminary anal.yzation data for the test materials for determining
excavating directions of mines, for exploiting mines, and for determining
the range of geological distribution. 'Juantitative analyses with the
spectrum analysis method have been in the course of experimentation so far.
K. Assay Analysis Room:
One analysis engineer and five technicians and apprentices were engaged
in analyzing gold and silver by using the dry method.
T. Research Office:
Approximately 30 analysis engineers and technicians were engaged in study-
ing as well as finding out the technical difficulties faced by tle above-
mentioned analysis rooms, in developing better analyzing methods, and in
introducing new analyzing methods of foreign countries. To perform such
tasks, the members of the office were divided into teams and were made
to make researches on given subjects in a fixed period or to handle other
analyzing tasks that were procented to them occasionally. For the elements
they could still not analyze or the analyzing methods they could still
not utilize such as radioelement analysis, water analysis, gas analysis,
C-ON-F-I-D-E N-T-I-A_T
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-O-N-F-I DEN -T-I-A-T
N9FORN
etc., they have so far been making research activities.
N. Test Materials Room:
't'his room maintained three test material keepers and five test material
crushing workers. The latter three crushed test materials in accordance
with the requirements made by each analysis room. Materials were usually
crushed until they could pass through the sieves of 120 to 200 meshes.
As crushing instruments the room kept a large crusher, a small crusher,
a ball mill, and a roll mill. For crushing materials to powder, the
room kept a hammer mill and a Mane-type stamp.
N. Dispensary:
This dispensary maintained one engineer and four technicians, who all
engaged in compounding reagents to be used by each analysis room, in
counting the required amount of ch.emicais for supply in accordance with
test material analysis methods, and in maintaining powerful medicines.
They decided the factor of titration solutions, supplied the solutions
to each analysis room, recollected the solutions, and then redecided
the factors.
0. balance Room:
This room maintained six technicians, who took charge in keeping various
balances and in weighing test analysis materials as well as analyzed
materials.
P. Glass Workshop :
This workshop maintained a total of 12 technicians who all engaged in
producing various glass instruments to be used at the laboratory as well
as to be sold to other chemical laboratories. They chiefly turned out
beakers, and ot'^er instruments were produced on request.
Facilities.
5. As of dlarch 1960 t'e laboratory maintained the following analysis facilities.
Item 4,uantity:
Chromatograph, USSR-made, arrived in NK
in 1959
Polarograph, made in East Germany, tuniAgary,
Czechoslovakia, and the USSR, arrived
in NK in 1957
C-0-N-F- I- D- E-N-T- I-A-T,
M)FORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-0 N- &V_ N -T-I-A-T
-10-
Spectroscopes, ASP-type, USSR-made,
arrived in NK in 1954 2
Ion exchange resin, anion and cation, arrived
in NK in 1958.
Electroanalysis instruments, USSR-made 2
Colorimeters, two USSR-made ones and two
East German-made ones 4
Photoelectric colorimeters, three U=SR-made
ones and two East German-made ones
Crushers, USSR-made, large and small ones
2
Ball mills, USSR-made
2
Balances
15
Electric balances
3
a
Electric drying furn^ces, four USSR-made ones
and two East German-made ones
Mapro (Russian term), three USSR-made ones and
three East German-made ones
6
Electronic micronic microscopes, five USSR-made
ones and four East German-made ones
9
Vacuum filter pump, USSR-made
1
Oil pump, US-Ii-made
1.
Tabor Force and Technical T.evei :
6. The laboratory maintained a total of approximately 200 workers, of whom
about 20 were cierical workers. Other workers consisted of 20 college
graduates, about 60 chemical professional school graduates, and about 100
junior and senior middle school graduates. The college graduates respective-
ly held the engineer's title, and they played the main role in performing
various technical work in the laboratory. Professional school graduates
were made to work as technicians, and middle and senior middle school grad-
uates as apprentices. Since they have so far gained much experience in
analysis work, !earning about as well, as receiving training on their work
for many years, many of them are now able to perform general analysis work
alone. Between 1956 and 1.957 they had been trained technically by three
Russian female technicians named A.D. Sergend, `T.A. Wdnya, and Natali. At
present, they feel no difficulty in performing analysis work for geological.
C- O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T- I-A_T.
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C- O-N-F-I -D-E-N - T- I- A-T,
NOFORN
-11-
survey operation, in deciding excavation directions for mines, and in deciding
the contents of NK export minerals. 'Towever, as mentioned in the foregoing,
they have still been unable to explore the special field of analyzing radio-
active materials, water, and gas. In general the technicians of the labora-
tory have been trying to promote their analyzing techniques through scientific
books of advanced nations, but they have not been able to apply the techniques
they learned through books to their daily practice due to the lack of standard
materials as well as required analysis instruments. Even if they could suc-
ceed in a special analysis, no reliance could be placed on its resul.t judging
from their lack of experiQnce.
7. The engineers of the Laboratory received no particular training for the pro-
motion of their techniques, though they constantly studied on their work
through books at their library in leisure hours. Whenever they encountered
an obstacle during their study, they solved it by contacting the Chemical
laboratory of the NX Academy of Sciences and other research offices. In the
meantime, they, being regarded as the highest authority in the analysis field,
gave technical assistance to analysis rooms as well as workers of industrial,
factories, who were sometimes brought to tie laboratory for training. To
give technical training to apprentices, the laboratory operated a night
chemical professional school of which lecturers were the technicians of the
laboratory. Each year the school recruited approximately 60 junior middle
school graduates and trained them for three years. Graduates were each given
a technicians title.
Basic Task and Business Data:
8. As stated in the foregoing, the basic task of the laboratory was the support-
ing of the operations of the Metals Industry Ministry Exploitation Management
Bureau, which conducted various geological survey business, underground re-
sources exploiting business, and excavation directions deciding business, all
over the NK territory. The secondary task of the laboratory was the conduct-
ing of various analysis work for iron works, steel mills, refineries, smelters,
and other metals factories; the deciding of the contents of NK export minerals;
and the discriminating of counterfeit money?at the request of judicial. courts.
C- 0-N -r'-I -D-E-Iv- T- I-A-T
RFORA
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-O-N-F-I-D-E -N-T- I-A -T_,
N0
Annually, the laboratory analyzed approximately 100,000 ingredients in total.
The test materials analyzed by the la boratory were mostly composed of the
ones that were sent to it from the geological survey teams that were in oper-
ation throughout the M. territory. The ingredients to be analyzed were always
designated by the requesting side. Generally, each survey team first dis-
tinguished the primary ingredients of a test material with. the naked eye,
then requested the laboratory to analyze some of the ingredients they wanted
to have assayed. When, in the
course of analysis, other ingredients were
found to have more prospective content than the ones being requested for
analyzing, the laboratory notified on the fact to the requesting team as well
as asked the team whether it wanted'to have additional analysis data for the
remaining ingredients. As a rule a team that just began test drilling sent
a test material to the laboratory for complete analysis. In such a case,
since the team had to pay for every ingredient to be analyzed, the team
preferred to have spectrum analyses of which charges were cheap. When every
ingredient was identified, the team selected the ingredients they needed and
then put them to further analyzation. Beginning 19,6 every survey team sent
its analysis workers to the Laboratory for training, set up its own analysis
room, and solved most of its analysis work by itself. `Towever, survey teams
still sent their analysis materials to the laboratory whenever they felt
difficulty or when they wanted to confirm whether or not their analysis data
were correct.
10. Besides geological survey teams, industrial, factories under the Ministry of
Metals Industry also sent to the laboratory those test materials that they
could not analyze by themsel*es. The most frequent customer factories of
the laboratory were the 7wanghae Iron Works, Kimch'aek Iron Works, Songjin
Steel Mill, and Kangson Steel Mill, all of which sent to the laboratory such
test materials as manganese, calcium, iron, silica, aluminum, phosphorus, etc.
Another customer factory the Nampo Smelter sent to the laboratory such analysis
materials as lead, tungsten, phosphorus, sulfur, c germanium'arid gallium
contained in chimney soot, and.: selenium, gold and Silver contained in
slag. Most of the minerals exported by the NK regime were attached with
analysis tables drawn up by the laboratory. TTowever, export minerals were
C-0 -N -F-I-D.-E-N-T-I -A-T,
NOFON y
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246A062900530001-5
C-0-h- F- I-D-E N-T-I-A-T,
NOFORIi
-13-
reanalyzed by the importing nations. When the reanalyzed results were iden-
tical with the contents of the attached analysis tables, money was paid ac-
cordingly; but when the reanalysis values were lower than those of the labora-
tory, the laboratory analyzed again the minerals in question. In case the
laboratory gained the same analysis values As before, it notified on the re-
sults to the importing nations and advised them to analyze once more. Thus
reanalyzation was repeated between the laboratory and importing nations until
identical results were gained. When the reanalysis data of an importing
nation were higher than those of the laboratory, the NK regime received pay-
ment in accordance with the former' a..:data. Those export minerals analyzed
by the laboratory were gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, boron, tin, antimony,
cobalt, nickel, etc. On the other hand, monazite and other minerals contain-
ing germanium (Re), niobium (Nb), tantalum, titanium (Ti), gallium (Ga),
thorium (Th.), selenium (Be), cesium (Cs), etc. were exported without being
analyzed by the laboratory because it could not analyze them, and the NK
regime received money for the above export minerals from importing nations
in accordance with their analysis data of the minerals. Besides mineral
analyzing, the laboratory discriminated counterfeit money at the request of
judicial courts or banks, but such a case had been rare in the past.
11. For analyzing test minerals or test materials furnished by geological survey
teams, mines, or metals industry factories, the laboratory collected from
them analysis charges. Analysis charges were imposed not on each test material-
but on each material's every ingredient that was requested for analyzation.
For an ingredient analyzed three NK won was charged; but 30 NK chon was charged
for the spectrum analyzation of an ingredient. To speak again, chemical or
physical analysis charge was three tN won per ingredient; and spectrum analysis
charge 30 chon per ingredient. Therefore, when three ingredients such as
iron, copper and aluminum of a test material were analyzed chemically, the
analysis charges would be nine won; or when analyzed spectrally, the charges
would be 90 chon.
Budget and Investments
12. The laboratory was operated-on the basis of--sel-f-supporting acoonntiw system,
but its annual budget was controlled by the National Planning Committee.
C'OAFN-F-I-D-E-NN-T-I-A-T.
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246A062900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-O-N-F-I-D N-T-I-A-T
Each year the laboratory submitted its annual budgetary plan to the National
Planning Committee, and the committee gave its approval when the plan was
considered to be correct. In accordance with the annual budgetary plan of
the laboratory, the planning committee sent monthly expenditures to the
laboratory, which paid them back with its analysis incomes. In fact, the
laboratory received its monthly expenditures from the committee at the
beginning of each month, and repaid them at the end of each month. Every
November the laboratory submitted a list of the analysis instruments and re-
agents it required, to the above planning committee. L-ince the items required
by t`,e laboratory were mostly foreign goods, the committee imported them,
along with other items required by other agencies, from abroad. Import items
did not arrive at a time but did arrive occasionally throughout the following
year. The laboratory paid for the imported items it received at the end of
the year with its own money. It had imported reagents worth 1,500,000 won
in 1957, worth 1,500,000 won in 1.958, and worth 1,000,000 wont in Nobbmber
1959, all. counted in Nh. won of pre-currency reform that took place in NK in
February 1959. The reason for the decrease in 1959 was that a considerable
quantity of import reagents were replaced with NK-made ones. Most of the
imported reagents were those made in the US+ t. The laboratory had also im-
ported analysis instruments worth 2,000,000 won in 1.957, worth 2,500,000 won
in 1958, and worth 4,000,000 woff in ND' inber 1959, all counted in NK won of
pre-currency reform. The reason for the amount jumping up to 4,000,000 won
in November 19. 59 was that the laboratory was to enlarge its size by importing
special analysis instruments, one unit each for analyzing radioactive materials,
for analyzing precious metals and for extracting precious metals, from the
T,omonosov T.aboratory, USSR, which was equipped with the above instruments.
The analysis instruments imported in 1957 or 1.958 were mostly imitative ones
of those facilities installed in a model mineral, analysis office set up in
Ukraine, USSR. The ordered analysis instruments of November 1959 did not
arrive in NK from the USSR as of March 1960.
13. The kind, quantity, and source of supply of the reagentl3 consumed annually
by the laboratory were as follows:
C-0- -F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-T,
NOFORL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-0-N -F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-T,
NOFORR
15--
Item Symbol Source of Supply Amount Per Year
Sulfuric acid Ti04 ?iungnam Fertilizers 1,500 kg
Factory
`Tydrochl.oric acid 'TC1 Ch'ongsu Chemical Factory 5,000 kg
Nitric acid 103 " 3,000 "
Acetic acid CTT3CO0T-T " 800 "
Oxalic acid 7X204 UDR 5 "
Sodium acetate C'T3CO0Na " 100 "
Potassium permanganate KMn04 " 10 "
Potassium dichromate K2Cr207 " 150 "
Potassium manganate K2Nhi04 " 13 "
Natrium nitrate NaNO3 " 15 "
Potassium nitrate KN03 " 15 "
Potassium chloride KC1 " 15 "
Potassium sulfate K2S04 " 1 "
Natrium sulfate Na2Z04 " 10 "
Natrium arsenide Na2AsO4 " 100 "
Sodium arsenite " 1.00 "
Alum It 10 "
'odium carbonate Na2CO3 Pon'gung Chemical Factory 500 "
Potassium carbonate K2CO3 UDR 10 "
Cal cium chloride Ca C12 " 100
Cobalt chloride C0C12 " 11 "
Aluminum sulfate A1504 " small.
Chrome oxide Cr203 " 15 "
Sodium hydroxide NaOrl Pon'gung Chemical Factory 1,000 "
"
Potassium hydroxide KOr' USSR 10
Magnesium oxide Ivvg0 " 300 "
Anhydrous sodium carbonate Na2CO3 " 500 "
Zinc oxide NnO Nampo Smelter 300 "
Nickel nitrate N1N03 USSR 13
"
Copper sulfate Cu504 `Tungnam Fertilizers Factory 10 "
Ammonium hydroxide NT140T " 20 "
C-O-N-F-I-D-E -T-I-A-T.
NOfO~
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-O-N-F-I D-E-N-T-I-A-T.
NOFOW
-i6-
Analysis Ability:
14. The laboratory analyzed annually approximately 100,000 elements on the
average, and it analyzed monthly as follows:
Frequency
Element
Symbol
Non-Colorimeter
Analysis
Colorimeter
analysis
Trivalent iron
.F'5+4--+
130
Copper
T.ead
Zinc
Zn
80
Cobalt
Co
180
Molybdenum
1Vlo
80
Tungsten oxide
~~03
1.80
Manganese
it,
1.80
Phosphorous
P
1.80
Arsenic
As
50
Bismuth
Bi
120
Magnesium
it
6o
Cal cium
Ca
60
:odium kalium
NaK
50
Barium
Ba
----
Boron
B
50
Tantalum
Ta
50
Niobium
Nb
50
Selenium
Se
50
Titanium
Ti
50
Silver
Ag
50
Gold
Au
50
Germanium
Ge
50
Gallium
Ga
50
Thorium
Th
50
Chromium
Cr
80
:and
5i02
80
Sulfur
S
80
Zirconium
Zr
50
C-0 -tti -F-I-D-E -N -!I I A T.
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-0 -N -F- I-D-E-N -T-I -A -1.
NOFORR
17-
Bivalent iron
Fe-$+
80
Nickel
Ni
80
Platinum
Pe
50
Cesium
Cs
50
Aluminum
Al
80
Mercury
-Tg
so
Iodine
I
80
Treatments
15. The laboratory, with its monthly incomes, paid monthly salaries to its
employees, whose grades and wages were as foll.owssZ
Grade
Job Title
Daily Wages
7
Engineer
!.86 NK won
6
Technician
1.70
e
5
1.64
4
H
1.48
3
Apprentice
1.32
"
Basic monthly salary of each employee was decided by multiplying the number
of days he worked in a month by his daily wages. An employee worked 26 days
a month on the average. Besides the basic wages, employees earned some
additional wages by performing some contract work that required urgent results.
furthermore, workers received prize money when they carried out their work
quotas in excess. Engineering college graduates were given respectively.-
an engineer's qualification. In addition to their basic salaries, engineers
received respectively an additional monthly pay that amounted to 8 won if
one's service period at the laboratory was one to three years, 10 won if one's
service period was four to five years, and 1.2 won if one worked five years
or more. Every employee of the laboratory received a service allowance which
amounted to certain fixed percentage of the basic salary. Those who engaged
in dangerous work were each given monthly 600 grams of soybean oil, four
kilograms of fish, one kilogram. of meat, two masks, cloth for making two
pairs of working clothes, etc. for free of charge. Each engineer received
C-0-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I -A_T.
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
Nu
16.
cloth for one pair of summer clothes once a year, cloth for one pair of
winter clothes once in two years, and cloth for one
in three years, for which price theykaid.
1)
Information: 50X1
a. Name: CtT'C1E Chae-yon (1.508/0961/6647)
b. Rank and Position: Research Engineer, Research Room, Laboratory,
Ministry of Metals Industry.
2)
a. CT?' OE Yun-so (1.08/nta/nta)
b. Technician, Physical Analysis Room, Laboratory, Ministry of Metals
Industry.
3)
a. TO TTyang-kyong (6079/0686/2529)
b. Engineer, Research Room, Laboratory, Ministry of 10etals Industry.
C-O-N-F-I-D 24\-T-I-A-T
NOFO1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-O-N-F-I-D-E4N-T-I-A-T
NORRI~
4) a.
A`dG Kwi-im (7806/6311/01'7) (Female)
50X1-HUM
b. Technician, Research Room, Laboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
5) a. KIN Ku-mun (6855/nta/nta) (F)
b. Engineer, Research Room, Laboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
6) a. KIM l 'ton-kun (6855/nta/nta)
b. Engineer, Research Room, Laboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
7) a. KIM Yol.-ok (6855/nta/3768) (Female)
b. Technician, Laboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-T,
NOFORJg
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-0-N-F-I-D E 4 -rT -I-A-T.
NOFORN
8) a. YMT Song-kum (2429/2646/6855) (F)
b. Technician, T.aboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
9) a. PAE Kyong-cha (5992/oo79/t37-1) (F)
b. Engineer, T,aboratury, Ministry of 1etal.s Industry.
1.0) a. PAK Son-nyo (2613/0103/1.1-66) (F)
b. Engineer,,
Research Room, Laboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
C- O-N-F-I-D-E-N- T- I-A-T
ninrnprd
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-0 N-F-I-D- N-T-I-A T,
NOFO
-21-
11) a. CT' A Kyun-sonL. (3947/0971./2052)
b. Chief Engineer, T,aboral*ry,Ministry of Metals Industry.
12) a. YI Ch'un-ok (2621/2504/3768)(F)
b. Engineer, Chemical Agent-- Preparation Room, Laboratory, Ministry of
Metals Industry.
13) a. YI 7ui-yun (2621/1213/3387) (F)
50X1-HUM
b. Engineer, Spectrum Analysis Room, T,aboratory, Ministry of Metals
50X1-HUM
Industry.
C-04N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A T.
NOFO-
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-O-I -F5G N-T-I-A-T,
14) a. YI Son-ch'ung (2621/0810/1818)
b. Technician, T,aboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
15) a. YI Son-pun (2621/nta/nta) (F)
b. Technician, T,aboratory, Ministry of IVIetai s Industry.
16) a. YI Song-hui (2621/2052/3556)
b. Chief, T,aboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
17) a. YI Tan-ch'un (2621/4551/250h) (F)
C-OAT-F-I-D-E-iv Z -I-A-T
NOFORN
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
C-C -F- UC i1I-T-I-A-T.
-23-
18) a. YIM Bun-thong (2651/nta/nta) (F)
b. Technician, T,aboratory, Ministry of Metals Industry.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5
COUNTRY North Korea
SUBJECT The Administration, Capabilities
and Personnel of the Laboratory
of the Ministry of Metals Industry
DATE OF.
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
Laboratory nt
REPORT
DATE DISTR. my 1962
NO. PAGES 1
REFERENCES
he former North Korean s ry of Metals Industry
50X1-HUM
C-O-N-F-I-D-S-N-T-I-A-L
NOFORN
x I
kJ3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/12 : CIA-RDP80T00246AO62900530001-5