Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex
operatingGovernment of North Korea · BF–BOF Integrated route · Chongjin, Asia Pacific, North Korea
GEM wikiKim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex makes steel by the integrated route: iron ore is smelted into liquid hot metal in a blast furnace, then refined into crude steel in a basic oxygen furnace. Alongside the ore-based route, the plant runs an electric arc furnace that melts scrap and other metallics. The liquid steel is solidified into semi-finished shapes by continuous casting. The plant has a crude steel capacity of about 6.0 million tonnes per year.
Process Route
Timeline
Operating since 1938
Emissions
2025
8.51 Mt CO₂e
1.49 t CO₂e per tonne of steel
Typical BF-BOF route: 1.8–2.0 t/t
Modelled estimate (Climate TRACE), not reported data. Methodology
Capacity (ttpa)
Crude Steel
6,000
EAF
1,500
BOF
3,000
Blast Furnace
2,800
Iron Units
Steel Units
Inputs & Energy
Power Chongjin City power station
Iron ore Musan Iron Mine
Steel Products
galvanized, wire rod, plate, cold rolled, hot rolled, tube
Ownership
Owner Government of North Korea
Parent Government of North Korea [100.0%]
Workforce 25,000 employees
State ownership Full
Learn the processes this plant uses
Nearby Plants
Other Government of North Korea plants
Explore
Location
Chongjin
Asia Pacific
North Korea
41.7538°, 129.7527°
At a Glance
- Route
- BF–BOF Integrated
- Crude steel capacity
- 6,000 ttpa
- Commissioned
- 1938
- Products
- Semi-finished, finished rolled