- Vinalon
Vinalon is a
synthetic fibre , produced frompolyvinyl alcohol usinganthracite andlimestone as raw materials. Vinalon was first developed by the Korean scientistRi Sung Gi at theTakatsuki chemical research institute in1939 . The fibre was largely ignored until Ri defected toNorth Korea in 1950. Trial production began in1954 and in 1961 the massive February 8 Vinalon Complex was built inHamhung .Fact|date=July 2007 Its success and widespread usage in North Korea is often pointed to in propaganda as an example of the success of the "juche " philosophy. [cite book|last=Robinson|first=Michael E.|title=Korea's Twentieth-Century Odyssey|location=Hawaii|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|date=2007|pages=pp.158-161|id=ISBN 0824831745]Hamhung remains a major production centre for vinalon; in 1998, a vinalon factory opened up inSouth Pyongan . [cite news|title=Vice Chairman Ri Byong Rim of Light Industry Commission|publisher=The People's Korea|date=1998 -02-12 |accessdate=2007-07-13] [cite news|title=North and South Hamgyong Provinces|url=http://www1.korea-np.co.jp/pk/080th_issue/99020301.htm|date=1999 -02-03 |accessdate=2007-07-13|publisher=The People's Korea]The factory complex also produces other chemicals. Some North Korean defectors have claimed that Dr. Lee Seung-ki was involved in
chemical weapons research and that the complex was used to produce them.Vinalon, also known as
Juche fibre, has become the national fibre of North Korea and is used for the majority of textiles, outstripping fibre such ascotton orNylon , which are only produced in small amounts in North Korea. Other than clothing, Vinalon is also used for canvas shoes, ropes and quilt wadding.Vinalon is resistant to heat and chemicals but has numerous disadvantages: it is stiff, uncomfortable, shiny, prone to shrinking and difficult to dye. It is not produced outside of North Korea.
References
External links
* [http://nk.chosun.com/english/news/news.html?ACT=detail&cat=10&res_id=4091 NKChosun.com]
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