This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
Iran purchases 20 Scud-B missiles from North Korea.
—Steven Emerson, "The Postwar Scud Boom," Wall Street Journal, 10 July 1991, p. A12.
North Korea's first test of its modified Scud-C is believed to have been a failure. [Note: This conflicts with the first report of a North Korean Scud-C flight test in May 1986.]
— "A Lonely State of Defiance," Jane's Defence Weekly, 8 August 1992, pp. 26-27.
The North Korean Navy completes construction of a surface-to-ship missile base at Mt. Kanggamch'an, across from the Kanepo Fisheries Cooperatives in Chungsan-kun, South Pyŏngan Province. This facility also has an intermediate-range missile base that was completed around 1985.
—Testimony of Ko Yŏng Hwan, former North Korean Foreign Ministry official, before the US Senate, 21 October 1997.
According to Ko Yŏng Hwan's testimony before the US Senate, the North Korean Military Construction Bureau begins construction of a missile base in "Chungganjin, Huch'ang-kun, Chagang Province." According to Im Yŏng Sŏn, North Korea plans to finish the construction by 1995. [Note: Ko's reference is incorrect. There is no "Chungganjin, Huch'ang-kun" in Chagang Province. There is a "Hŭich'ŏn City," but it is at the southern end of the province, and this conflicts with other reports of the missile base's location. The base is probably located at Chunggang-kun, Chagang Province, near the Chinese border. There are references to both "Chinggang" and "Chungangjin" in South Korean press reports.]
—Testimony of Ko Yŏng Hwan, former North Korean Foreign Ministry official, before the US Senate, 21 October 1997; "Chagangdo Chungganjin Dŭng Chungguk Kukkyŏng/Puk, Missile Kiji Kŏnsolchung," Chosun Ilbo, 9 April 1994, p. 7, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; "Puk, Chunggukkukkyŏng'e Missile Kiji/Naenyŏn Wan'gong/Tongbuk 3 Sŏng-Pukkyŏngdo Sajŏnggwŏn'e," Taehan Maeil, 9 April 1994, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Lee T'ae Hyŏng, "Puk, Chungguk Kukkyŏng'e Missile Kiji/Han-Mi P'okkyŏk Ŏkche Noryŏ/Ilchi Podo," Kukmin Ilbo, 8 April 1994, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>.
Full-scale production of Hwasŏng-6 begins with about four to five missiles per month.
—Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK," Occasional Paper No. 2, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, November 1999, p. 16.
According to a BBC documentary broadcast in July 1991, North Korea is helping Egypt establish a Scud-C missile production plant outside Cairo. The facility "is operated and developed by Arab-British Dynamics Co., a consortium owned by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Britain."
—Steven Emerson, "The Postwar Scud Boom," Wall Street Journal, 10 July 1991, p. A12.
Approximately 30-50 specialists from Russia and Eastern Europe secretly visit North Korea to work on heat-resistant materials for re-entry vehicles.
—Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng (Seoul: Sŏmundang, May 1999), p. 295.
North Korea begins development of the Paektusan-1 (Taepodong-1) and Taepodong-2 missiles. The Korean name for the Taepodong-1 is unknown until September 2001; the missiles are named after two areas (dongs) in Hwadae-kun. The missiles are designed to carry a 1,000-1,500kg warhead 1,500-2,500km, and the same warhead 4,000-8,000km respectively.
—Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK," Occasional Paper No. 2, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, November 1999, p. 26.
North Korean FROG battalions are reorganized into a brigade subordinate to the Artillery Command.
—Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK," Occasional Paper No. 2, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, November 1999, p. 14.
North Korea begins to deploy long-range artillery and rockets near the northern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which would reduce the warning time available to South Korea in case of an attack.
—John M. Deutch, "Worldwide Threat Assessment Brief to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence by the Director of Central Intelligence, John M. Deutch," 22 February 1996, <http://www.odci.gov/>.
According to the newspaper Izvestia, Vladimir Kryuchkov, head of the KGB, issues a memo to the Soviet leadership that says North Korea "has completed the development of its first atomic explosive device." According to the memo, the development was completed at the nuclear research center in Yŏngbyŏn."
—Yevgenia Albats, Izvestia, 24 June 1990, p. 4, in "Pyongyang and the Bomb: When Did Moscow Hear?" Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press, 20 July 1994, p. 16, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Report Suggests N. Korea Has Nuke Weapon," United Press International, 23 June 1994, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Verbatim: And that Was in 1990," Air Force Magazine, Vol. 77, No. 8, August 1994, <http://www.afa.org/magazine/magz.html>; Warren Strobel, "N. Korea Shops for Nuke Technology in Russia," Washington Times, 5 July 1994, p. A1.
South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jŏng Hun tells the National Assembly's National Defense Committee that North Korea is extending the range of its Scud missiles to over 500km. Minister Lee also says that North Korea is building nuclear facilities in Yŏngbyŏn-kun on a large scale and that North Korea could produce nuclear weapons in mid 1990's.
—"Nambuk Kunch'ukhyŏpsang Ch'ujin/I Kukpang, 3 Tan'gyero/Sangho Shilloeguch'uk Hotline Sŏlch'ido," Kyunghyang Shinmun, 24 February 1990, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>.
News reports announce that South Korea and the USSR will accelerate moves to establish full diplomatic relations. The announcement follows a week-long trip to the USSR by Kim Young Sam, co-chairman of South Korea's Democratic Liberal Party.
—Mary Dejevsky, "Moscow Hastens Seoul Ties," The Times, 27 March 1990, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.
A US intelligence satellite photographs a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), with an estimated range of 1,000km, on its launcher at the Musudan-ri Range in Hwadae-kun in eastern North Korea. Analyses of subsequent photographs of the launch pad reveal burn marks, which are believed to indicate that the missile exploded on the pad. [Note: This is very likely the so-called "Nodong-1."]
—Bill Gertz, "Libya May Buy N. Korean Missiles," Washington Times, 4 June 1991, p. 4; Yonhap News Agency (Seoul), 24 June 1993, in "Defense Ministry: May Nodong-1 Test Successful," FBIS-EAS-93-120, 24 June 1993, p. 19; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK," Occasional Paper No. 2, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, November 1999, p. 21; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "An Analysis of North Korean Ballistic Missile Testing," Jane's Intelligence Review, April 1995, p. 186; Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng (Seoul: Sŏmundang, May 1999), pp. 280-281; "Pukhan, Sae T'ando Missile Saengsan-Haekt'apchae Kanŭng," Joongang Ilbo, 5 June 1990, <http://www.joins.com/ >; "Pukhan Kaebal T'ando Missile Ch'otshihŏmbalsa—Mijŏngbogigwandŭl Punsŏk," Joongang Ilbo, 6 July 1990, <http://www.joins.com/ >.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak visits Pyongyang. He is believed to have visited the 125 Factory where the Hwasŏng-6 is assembled.
—Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK," Occasional Paper No. 2, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, November 1999, p. 19.
North Korea is reported to be building two launch sites near the MDL. According to the Washington Times, imagery shows two concrete launch pads under construction with SA-5 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and support radar near the site. The sites are expected to become operational in mid-1991. [Note: The site is probably one of the missile bases at Sariwŏn, Chiha-ri, or Shin'gye. Shin'gye is about 50km north of the MDL in North Hwanghae Province.]
—Bill Gertz, "North Korea Builds 2 Missile Launch Sites," Washington Times, 14 June 1990, p. A4; "Pukhan, DMZ Pu'gŭn Sae Missile Kiji Haekt'andu Changch'ak Kanŭng," Joongang Ilbo, 15 June 1990, <http://www.joins.com/ >; "Pukhan'ŭi DMZ Haekkiji Kŏnsŏl (Sasŏl)," Taehan Maeil (Seoul Shinmun), 16 June 1990, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >; Kim Pyŏng Mu, "Haekchangch'ak Kanŭng T'ando Missile Palsadae 2Ki/Pukhan, DMZ Pugŭn Kŏnsŏlchung," Segye Ilbo, 15 June 1990, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >; Kim Ch'ang Ki, "Pukhan, DMZ Pugŭn Sae Missile Kiji," Chosun Ilbo, 15 June 1990, p. 1, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/ >.
North Korea conducts its first successful test of a Scud-C, launching from the Hwadae-kun (Musudan-ri) missile test site south over the Sea of Japan.
—Joseph S. Bermudez, "Ballistic Ambitions Ascendant," Jr., Jane's Defence Weekly, 10 April 1993, pp. 20, 22; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "An Analysis of North Korean Ballistic Missile Testing," Jane's Intelligence Review, April 1995, p. 185; Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng (Seoul: Sŏmundang, May 1999), pp. 272-273; Lee Jŏng Hun, "FROGesŏ Taepodong Kkaji: Pukhan Missile Game," Shindonga, August 1999, p. 203; "A Lonely State of Defiance," Jane's Defence Weekly, 8 August 1992, pp. 26-27; "Ballistic Missile Threat Evolves," International Defense Review, vol. 33, no. 10, 1 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/ >.
South Korean President Roh Tae Woo meets with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachov in San Francisco, where they agree in principle to establish diplomatic relations, and "to expand economic, scientific, and technical links." The meeting infuriates the North Korean leadership, and seriously worsens already deteriorating North Korea-USSR bilateral relations. North Korean media later criticized Roh for his "flunkeyist, submissive and traitorous trip," and also say, "Our people cannot but have a doubt about the attitude of the Kremlin which sat face-to-face with such a dictator."
—Martin Fletcher, "Moscow Ties with Seoul to Thaw Ice," The Times, 6 June 1990, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/ >; Joe Joseph, "North Korea Hits at 'Traitorous Pair'," The Times, 8 June 1990, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/ >; Martin Fletcher, "Boost for 'Gorby' as Mania Factor Continues," The Times, 5 June 1990, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.
Yonhap News Agency, quoting Komsomolskaya Pravda (Communist Youth's Truth), reports that the USSR signs a contract with North Korea for the provision of 200 rocket experts. The deal is reportedly called off in exchange for a South Korean loan when the USSR normalizes relations with South Korea.
—Yonhap News Agency (Seoul), 23 April 1994, in "Russian Scientists Assisting DPRK in Nuclear Program," JPRS-TND-94-011, 16 May 1994, pp. 51-52.
The US detects North Korean preparations for a second attempt to test-launch its intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM; Nodong-1). According to the Washington Times, "vehicular activity" near the launch pad is detected, as well as activity at nearby radar stations that could track the missile's flight. However, radar-tracking ships positioned in the Sea of Japan, the likely impact zone, observe no launch.
—Bill Gertz, "North Korea Set to Test Missiles," Washington Times, 12 November 1990, p. A3; "Pukhan, Sae Missile Kot Shilhŏmbalsa—Washington Times Ji Podo," Joongang Ilbo, 13 November 1990, <http://www.joins.com/>; Bill Gertz, "Libya May Buy N. Korean Missiles," Washington Times, 4 June 1991, p. 4; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "An Analysis of North Korean Ballistic Missile Testing," Jane's Intelligence Review, April 1995, pp. 185-186.
According to the Central News Network, Iraq sends a delegation to North Korea to discuss the purchase of Scud missiles and launchers, and to consult on the establishment of Scud missile production facilities.
—Central News Network, "CNN Specials," Transript # 53, 11 March 1991, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Pukhan, Sajŏng 6 Baek Mile Isang Shinhyŏng Scud Missile Kaebal," Joongang Ilbo, 12 March 1991, <http://web.joins.com/>.
A North Korean team led by Defense Minister O Jin U, visits Tehran, where they meet with senior Iranian officials, including the head of the IRGC, Mohsen Rezai, and the Ayatollah's son, Ahmed Khomeini. The visit culminates in a second series of agreements between the two countries, which are believed to include the purchase of North Korea's Scud-C missile and the conversion of a missile maintenance facility in eastern Iran (Ishafan) into a production facility.
—Steven Emerson, "The Postwar Scud Boom," Wall Street Journal, 10 July 1991, p. A12; Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "Iran's Missile Developments," in William C. Potter and Harlen W. Jencks, eds., International Missile Bazaar: The New Supplier's Network, (Boulder, San Francisco and Oxford: Westview Press, 1994), p. 57; Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng (Seoul: Sŏmundang, May 1999), pp. 273, 276-277; "Ballistic Missile Threat Evolves," International Defense Review, vol. 33, no. 10, 1 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/ >.
Intelligence reports indicate that missile launchers have been spotted in Syria, but it is not clear whether they are for the Chinese M-9 or the North Korean Scud-C.
—Elaine Sciolino and Eric Schmitt, "Algerian Reactor Came from China," New York Times, 15 November 1991, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.
North Korea deploys 12 Scud missile launchers near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). [Note: The missiles are probably deployed at Sariwŏn, Chiha-ri, or Shin'gye. Shin'gye is about 50km north of the MDL in North Hwanghae Province.]
—Kim Chun Pŏm, "Pukhan'ŭi Haek-Missile Kisulsujun Ŏddŏn'ga," Joongang Ilbo, 19 March 1992, p. 6, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>.
North Korean technical advisors arrive in Iran to fulfill the 29 November 1990 conversion agreement. The North Korean technicians work on changing "a missile maintenance facility in eastern Iran into a missile production site." Iranian military officials are trained in North Korea to manufacture and launch ballistic missiles.
—Steven Emerson, "The Postwar Scud Boom," Wall Street Journal, 10 July 1991, p. A12.
North Korea agrees to sell Scud-B and Scud-C missiles to Iraq.
—Steven Emerson, "The Postwar Scud Boom," Wall Street Journal, 10 July 1991, p. A12.
An Israeli official comments that Syria, using the $2 billion that it received for participation in the 1990-91 Gulf War, has purchased extended-range Scud-C missiles from North Korea as part of a program to acquire advanced weapons systems. According to Flight International, Israel claims the two-sides are "about to sign a contract" for the missiles.
—John Fricker, publisher, Milavnews, vol. 30, no. 351, January 1991, pp. 22-23; "Syria 'Signed for N Korean Scuds'," Flight International, 13 March 1991, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/ >. Full-scale production of the North Korean Scud-C at four to eight units per month is reached.
—Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "Ballistic Ambitions Ascendant," Jane's Defence Weekly, 10 April 1993, pp. 20, 22; Chang Chun Ik, Pukhan Haek-Missile Chŏnjaeng (Seoul: Sŏmundang, May 1999), p. 277.
