Academy of National Defense Science

The Academy of National Defense Science (Korean: 국방과학원; Hanja: 國防科學院), formerly Second Academy of Natural Sciences (Korean: 제2자연과학원; Hanja: 第二自然科學院), is a North Korean organization involved in the North Korean missile program, including the Hwasong-14.^[1] It is based in Pyongyang, and currently headed by Colonel General Jang Chang-ha.^[2][3][4]

Academy of National Defense Science

Established	1964; 60 years ago (1964)
Formerly called	Second Academy of Natural Sciences
Location	Pyongyang , North Korea

It has been sanctioned by the United States government, and subject to export controls in relations to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2270.^[5][6]

History

It was established in 1964 as the Agency for Defense Development under the Ministry of National Security. In 1970 it changed to Second Academy of Natural Sciences and moved to the Second Economic Committee. In 2010 it was slapped with U.S. sanctions^[7] In the 2000s Moved to the Department of Military Industry of the Workers' Party of Korea. In 2014 it was renamed to the Agency for Defense Development of Cruise Missiles. Since 2021 it is referred to as the Academy of National Defense Science.^[8]

Naval warfare

The Academy is also responsible for developing naval vessels and weapons, and has a Maritime Research Institute, headquartered at the Sinpo South Shipyard.^[9][10]

The Academy also operates the Namp’o Ship Design Institute.^[11]

Leaders

• Jang Chang-ha (current)^[2]
• Choe Chun-sik (c. 2012)^[2]

See also

• Academy of Sciences of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

References

1. "North Korea conducts public executions for theft, watching South Korea media: report". The Japan Times. Reuters. July 19, 2017. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reacts with scientists and technicians of the country's Academy of Defense Science after the test-launch of the Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday.
2. Paton, Callum (July 11, 2017). "North Korea Missile Program: Who Is the ICBM Expert Promoted and Hailed As Hero by Kim Jong Un After Successful Test?". Newsweek.
3. "Head of N.K. missile development agency promoted after ICBM test". Yonhap News Agency. July 11, 2017. Jang Chang-ha, president of the Academy of National Defense Science, was seen sitting next to leader Kim Jong-un at a performance with his military rank being raised by one notch from lieutenant general, according to Yonhap News Agency's analysis on photos carried by state media.
4. Lovelace, Douglas C., ed. (2017). Terrorism: Commentary on Security Documents. Oxford University Press. p. 365. ISBN 9780190654221.
5. "The United States Sanctions North Korean Government Officials and Organizations Tied to its Missile and Nuclear Programs". 2016. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. In addition to OFAC's designations, the State Department designated three entities and two individuals pursuant to E.O. 13382. The State Department also updated an alias of an entity that was previously designated pursuant to the same E.O. These designations include NADA; the Ministry of Atomic Energy Industry; the Academy of National Defense Science; Choe Chun Sik, the Director of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences, which is designated pursuant to E.O. 13382; and Kang Mun Kil, a representative of Namhung Trading Corporation, which is designated pursuant to E.O. 13382.
6. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (March 2016). "Review of the End User List". Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Academy of National Defense Science (国防科学院) [...] This review was conducted with reference to the fact that UN Security Council Resolution 2270 additionally designated entities and individuals involved in programs related to North Korea's nuclear, other WMDs, and ballistic missile development which are to be subject to asset-freezing measures.
7. Johnson, Jesse (May 28, 2017). "North Korean leader oversees test of 'new anti-aircraft weapon'". The Japan Times. The test was organized by the Academy of National Defense Science.
8. "북한 "신형 장거리순항미사일 발사…1,500km 표적 명중"".
9. Johnson, Jesse (October 1, 2016). "North Korea may be building new missile submarine: report". The Japan Times. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
10. Bermudez, Joseph S. (October 28, 2014). "North Korea: Test Stand for Vertical Launch of Sea-Based Ballistic Missiles Spotted". 38 North. Retrieved July 23, 2017. The Academy of National Defense Science's Maritime Research Institute, located in Sinpo, is responsible for research and development of maritime technology, naval vessels and submarines and naval related missiles.
11. Bermudez, Joseph S. (May 15, 2014). "New North Korean Helicopter Frigates Spotted". 38 North. Design of the vessel was likely the responsibility of the Academy of National Defense Science's Namp'o Ship Design Institute in cooperation with the Maritime Research Institute (a.k.a., Ship Research Institute), while the Second Economic Committee's 6th Machine Industry Bureau oversaw construction.