Assessing North Korea’s Chemical Weapons Capability
This project analyses North Korea’s chemical industry, examining the extent to which it can support a chemical weapons programme.
The 2017 assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother in a Malaysian airport with the chemical nerve agent VX, an attack widely linked to the regime in Pyongyang, drew international attention to the topic of North Korea’s chemical weapons capabilities. A number of countries, including G7 states, have assessed that North Korea has a chemical weapons programme, posing a threat to regional and global security.
This three-year project, a joint initiative of RUSI’s Proliferation and Nuclear Policy (PNP) and Open Source Intelligence Analysis (OSIA) teams, seeks to provide a new and unique open source assessment of North Korea’s chemical weapons capability. Using remote sensing and other open source tools, RUSI researchers will conduct a review of key facilities to produce a networked overview of North Korea’s chemical industry. This will inform an assessment of North Korea’s chemical weapons production potential.
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Project sponsor
Global Affairs Canada
Global Affairs Canada define, shape and advance Canada’s interests and values in a complex global environment. We manage diplomatic relations, promote international trade and provide consular support. We lead international development, humanitarian, and peace and security assistance efforts. We also contribute to national security and the development of international law.
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Project team
Dr Matthew Harries
Director of Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
James Byrne
Director, OSIA
Open Source Intelligence and Analysis (OSIA)
Lennie Phillips OBE
Senior Research Fellow, Chemical Weapons
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Joe Byrne
Research Fellow
Open Source Intelligence and Analysis (OSIA)
Dr Giangiuseppe Pili
Research Fellow
Open Source Intelligence and Analysis (OSIA)
Marike Woollard
Programme Manager
Open Source Intelligence and Analysis (OSIA)
Mar Casas Cachinero
Programme Manager
Proliferation and Nuclear Policy