
North Korean Nuclear History
This is a collection of documents about North Korea's nuclear program. Drawn from the archives of North Korea's former communist allies, the collection highlights that North Korea's nuclear ambitions began as early as the 1950s.
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April 28, 1958
From the Journal of Gromyko, Record of a Conversation with Ambassador Ri Sin-Pal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Gromyko records that North Korea was eager to start a nuclear program, though they insisted it was for “peaceful purposes.” The North Korean Ambassador requested Soviet scientific aid and was informed by Gromyko that the request would “undoubtedly be considered in a favorable spirit.”
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May 17, 1958
Journal of Soviet Ambassador in the DPRK A. M. Puzanov for 17 May 1958
Nam Il learns that the Soviet government will receive a North Korean delegation to study the "use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes" while informing Puzanov of arrangements for representatives of the DPRK to attend party congresses in Eastern Europe.