[1] It is based in Pyongyang, and currently headed by Colonel General Jang Chang-ha.
[5][6] It was established in 1964 as the Agency for Defense Development under the Ministry of National Security.
In 1970 it changed to Second Academy of Natural Sciences and moved to the Second Economic Committee.
In 2010 it was slapped with U.S. sanctions[7] In the 2000s Moved to the Department of Military Industry of the Workers' Party of Korea.
[8] The Academy is also responsible for developing naval vessels and weapons, and has a Maritime Research Institute, headquartered at the Sinpo South Shipyard.