Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09UNVIEVIENNA345
2009-07-20 11:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
UNVIE
Cable title:
IAEA/DPRK: NORTH KOREAN INTEREST IN RADIATION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHUNV #0345 2011106 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201106Z JUL 09 FM USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9848 RHEBAAA/DOE WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 0926 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 0994 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 0398 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 0782 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1714
C O N F I D E N T I A L UNVIE VIENNA 000345
SIPDIS
ISN FOR GROMOLL AND MAHAFFEY, IO FOR DETEMPLE, EAP FOR
JOHNSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2034
TAGS: AORC IAEA KN KNNP
SUBJECT: IAEA/DPRK: NORTH KOREAN INTEREST IN RADIATION
DETECTION EQUIPMENT AT IAEA-SPONSORED SYMPOSIUM
Classified By: CDA GEOFFREY PYATT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L UNVIE VIENNA 000345
SIPDIS
ISN FOR GROMOLL AND MAHAFFEY, IO FOR DETEMPLE, EAP FOR
JOHNSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2034
TAGS: AORC IAEA KN KNNP
SUBJECT: IAEA/DPRK: NORTH KOREAN INTEREST IN RADIATION
DETECTION EQUIPMENT AT IAEA-SPONSORED SYMPOSIUM
Classified By: CDA GEOFFREY PYATT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) During a meeting on July 16, Canadian Msnoffs reported
that a North Korean official had approached a Canadian
uranium mining company at the International Symposium on
Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, an
IAEA-sponsored event held in Vienna June 22-26, 2009. A
South Korean MsnOff at the same Meeting reported that he had
observed the North Korean official, alternate PermRep to the
UN Han Won-Chong, at the Canadian firm's information booth at
the symposium. Han had approached the booth while it was
empty and declined assistance from the Canadian firm's
representative when the Canadian returned to the booth to
find the North Korean browsing. The South Korean MsnOff
noted that Han acquired brochures for three types of
radiation detection devices: a device installed on aircraft
to locate uranium deposits, a handheld radiation detection
device, and a vertical device of the type used to detect
radiation at ports and borders. According to our Canadian
colleague, the technology of interest has been in use for
many years and was not the most sophisticated available.
2. (C) South Korean and Canadian MsnOffs believed that North
Korea's interest in this equipment indicated long-term,
strategic interest in further development of its nuclear
programs. Comment: Mission notes that while North Korea
could be seeking this technology for internal use, Pyongyang
may also be interested in increasing its understanding of
international detection capabilities.
PYATT
SIPDIS
ISN FOR GROMOLL AND MAHAFFEY, IO FOR DETEMPLE, EAP FOR
JOHNSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2034
TAGS: AORC IAEA KN KNNP
SUBJECT: IAEA/DPRK: NORTH KOREAN INTEREST IN RADIATION
DETECTION EQUIPMENT AT IAEA-SPONSORED SYMPOSIUM
Classified By: CDA GEOFFREY PYATT FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) During a meeting on July 16, Canadian Msnoffs reported
that a North Korean official had approached a Canadian
uranium mining company at the International Symposium on
Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, an
IAEA-sponsored event held in Vienna June 22-26, 2009. A
South Korean MsnOff at the same Meeting reported that he had
observed the North Korean official, alternate PermRep to the
UN Han Won-Chong, at the Canadian firm's information booth at
the symposium. Han had approached the booth while it was
empty and declined assistance from the Canadian firm's
representative when the Canadian returned to the booth to
find the North Korean browsing. The South Korean MsnOff
noted that Han acquired brochures for three types of
radiation detection devices: a device installed on aircraft
to locate uranium deposits, a handheld radiation detection
device, and a vertical device of the type used to detect
radiation at ports and borders. According to our Canadian
colleague, the technology of interest has been in use for
many years and was not the most sophisticated available.
2. (C) South Korean and Canadian MsnOffs believed that North
Korea's interest in this equipment indicated long-term,
strategic interest in further development of its nuclear
programs. Comment: Mission notes that while North Korea
could be seeking this technology for internal use, Pyongyang
may also be interested in increasing its understanding of
international detection capabilities.
PYATT