Nuclear science in North Korea: a case study of the Journal of Kim Il-Sung university, 1982-2024

Abstract

This study presents a data-driven analysis of North Korean domestic nuclear science, based on a curated corpus of 1352 articles published in the Journal of Kim Il-sung University (JKISU) from 1982 to 2024. Using a multi-faceted methodology that includes a standardized taxonomy, authorship analysis with name-disambiguation, keyword co-occurrence mapping, and qualitative triangulation through interviews with defector scientists, the study characterizes the volume, authorship, topical focus, and temporal evolution of research at Kim Il-sung University (KISU). The findings reveal that nuclear research at KISU is conducted by a small, stable cohort of researchers, highly concentrated within the Faculty of Energy Science. While global academic trends favor international collaboration, authorship patterns in JKISU have remained largely static and insular. The thematic focus of the research has undergone a distinct evolution, shifting from an early emphasis on theoretical modeling to more applied domains such as radiation measurement and reactor systems. These findings underscore the strategic role of nuclear science within North Korea and provide a transparent, replicable baseline for tracking the country's scientific priorities. Overall, this study lays critical groundwork for future research on the institutional structure and trajectory of North Korean science.