Project profile — Open source research on North Korean production capacity for weapons of mass destruction

• Africa, regional (20.00%)
• America, regional (20.00%)
• Asia, regional (20.00%)
• Oceania, regional (20.00%)
• Europe, regional (20.00%)

• Conflict Prevention And Resolution, Peace And Security: Security system management and reform (15210) (100.00%)

• Gender equality (not targeted)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Nutrition (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

This project provides the Verification, Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) with funding to conduct open source research on North Korea’s production capacity for weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and delivery systems. This research will be undertaken by VERTIC, in collaboration with the Royal United Services Institute and the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

The expected outcome of this project is the production of reliable, well-researched and publicly available information on North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction production capabilities.

Results achieved as of June 2023 include: (1) investigations of North Korean uranium mining and milling facilities, phosphate extraction as a domestic source of uranium, fuel cycle models of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor to test different production variables; and (2) engaged experts on developing models for chemical and biological weapons production.

• Proactive disclosure