Ri Hong-sop explained

Ri Hong-sop (born 1940) is a North Korean scientist.^[1]

Ri is a former director of the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center.^{[2] [3]} In 2005 he served on the program committee of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Nuclear Energy and Security (NUSEC) conference in Salzburg, Austria.^[4] According to the United Nations, Ri has played a "key role in the ... [DPRK's] nuclear program”.^[5]

In January 2016 Ri, along with a fellow associate in the nuclear weapons program Hong Sung-mu, was the first in line to receive a medal from Kim Jong Un for success in the January 2016 nuclear test.^[5] The two men are collectively known as North Korea's "nuclear duo".^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: RI HONG-SOP. un.org. United Nations Security Council. September 4, 2017.
2. Book: Jeffries. Ian . North Korea, 2009-2012: A Guide to Economic and Political Developments . 2012 . Routledge . 1135116989 . 109 .
3. North Korean Nuclear Facilities After the Agreed Framework . Chaim Braun . Siegfried Hecker . Siegfried Hecker . Chris Lawrence . Panos Papadiamantis . Center for International Security and Cooperation . Stanford University . 27 May 2016 . 14 March 2019.
4. Book: ENERSEC Conference Series Nuclear Energy and Security (NUSEC) Book of Abstracts. 2005. IAEA. ix.
5. News: North Korea's nuclear scientists take center stage with H-bomb test. September 4, 2017. Reuters. September 4, 2017.
6. Web site: Rocket Men: The Team Building North Korea’s Nuclear Missile . Choe Sang-hun . Rich . Motoko . Renau . Natalie . Carlesen . Audrey . The New York Times . 15 December 2017 . 12 February 2019 .