@article{ART003310718},
author={Cho JooHyung and HONG YONG PYO},
title={A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s)},
journal={The Journal of Northeast Asia Research},
issn={2005-4432},
year={2026},
volume={41},
number={1},
pages={123-150},
doi={10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005}
TY - JOUR
AU - Cho JooHyung
AU - HONG YONG PYO
TI - A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s)
JO - The Journal of Northeast Asia Research
PY - 2026
VL - 41
IS - 1
PB - The Institute for Northeast Asia Research
SP - 123
EP - 150
SN - 2005-4432
AB - This study focuses on why North Korea(NK) adopted a Natural Uranium-fueled(NU) Graphite-Moderated Reactor(GMR) instead of the Soviet-style Enriched nuclear fuel-based Light-Water Reactor(LWR) system, despite the Soviet Union's support for nuclear energy from the 1950s to the 1980s. Specifically, this study utilizes policy-data on NK's early Soviet-supported reactors and its newly developed GMR, employing an interdisciplinary approach that combines technological analysis and international political analysis. According to this study, the Soviet Union's partial nuclear cooperation with NK ostensibly maintained the constraints on nuclear proliferation, but it also deepened North Korea's dependence on the Soviet Union. Ultimately, NK sought to circumvent Soviet interference by adopting NU and GMR, thereby strengthening its own potential and autonomy. Ultimately, NK's adoption of NU-GMR was a strategic decision aimed at achieving nuclear independence against the Soviet Union.
KW - North Korea;Nuclear strategy;Independence;Nuclear fuel;Proliferation resistance
DO - 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
ER -
Cho JooHyung and HONG YONG PYO. (2026). A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s). The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, 41(1), 123-150.
Cho JooHyung and HONG YONG PYO. 2026, "A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s)", The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, vol.41, no.1 pp.123-150. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
Cho JooHyung, HONG YONG PYO "A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s)" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41.1 pp.123-150 (2026) : 123.
Cho JooHyung, HONG YONG PYO. A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s). 2026; 41(1), 123-150. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
Cho JooHyung and HONG YONG PYO. "A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s)" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41, no.1 (2026) : 123-150.doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
Cho JooHyung; HONG YONG PYO. A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s). The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, 41(1), 123-150. doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
Cho JooHyung; HONG YONG PYO. A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s). The Journal of Northeast Asia Research. 2026; 41(1) 123-150. doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
Cho JooHyung, HONG YONG PYO. A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s). 2026; 41(1), 123-150. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
Cho JooHyung and HONG YONG PYO. "A Study on the Factors Behind North Korea's Adoption of Graphite Reactor-Type Nuclear Fuel: Focusing on Technological Features and the Autonomy Process (1950s-1980s)" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41, no.1 (2026) : 123-150.doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.005
