Statement by Ambassador HIKIHARA Takeshi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 1 March 2021: Item 7 (c): Application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
2021/3/1
Thank you, Madame Chair,
The Director General’s report on the application of safeguards in North Korea issued last September underscores that the continuation of North Korea’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and is deeply regrettable.
Last September, the General Conference adopted by consensus the resolution entitled “Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement between the Agency and the DPRK”. This resolution demonstrated solidarity among the IAEA Member States, toward the denuclearization of North Korea.
In this regard, we appreciate the updates by Director General in his introductory statement to the Board of Governors, mentioning that there are recent indications of operation of the steam plant that serves the radiochemical laboratory at Yongbyon in addition to ongoing indications of activity at the Kangson location.
Madame Chair,
Japan is deeply concerned about North Korea’s continued development of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities in violation of UNSC resolutions as North Korea clearly showed its intention to further develop its nuclear and missile capabilities at the 8th Party Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in January, 2021.
Japan strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all of its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions, and to take concrete steps towards achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles of all ranges, as well as related programmes and facilities, in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.
Japan calls upon North Korea to come into full compliance with the NPT and to cooperate promptly with the Agency in the full and effective implementation of Agency comprehensive safeguards, including all necessary safeguards activities provided for in the safeguards agreement. Japan emphasizes the critical importance for all states to fully implement relevant UNSC resolutions, and calls upon all states to continue working together to this end.
Madame Chair,
Japan commends the impartial efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat to apply comprehensive safeguards in North Korea and highly appreciates the Secretariat’s work to enhance the Agency’s ability and readiness to verify North Korea’s nuclear programme, which has been carried out within its mandate. We consider it important that the Agency’s expertise, knowledge and experience are utilized. We hope that the IAEA will take an important role in verifying North Korea’s nuclear programme, if concrete progress towards denuclearization of North Korea is made.
Japan will continue to closely coordinate with the international community toward the resolution of issues of concern regarding North Korea.
Thank you, Madame Chair.
The Director General’s report on the application of safeguards in North Korea issued last September underscores that the continuation of North Korea’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and is deeply regrettable.
Last September, the General Conference adopted by consensus the resolution entitled “Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement between the Agency and the DPRK”. This resolution demonstrated solidarity among the IAEA Member States, toward the denuclearization of North Korea.
In this regard, we appreciate the updates by Director General in his introductory statement to the Board of Governors, mentioning that there are recent indications of operation of the steam plant that serves the radiochemical laboratory at Yongbyon in addition to ongoing indications of activity at the Kangson location.
Madame Chair,
Japan is deeply concerned about North Korea’s continued development of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities in violation of UNSC resolutions as North Korea clearly showed its intention to further develop its nuclear and missile capabilities at the 8th Party Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in January, 2021.
Japan strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all of its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions, and to take concrete steps towards achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles of all ranges, as well as related programmes and facilities, in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.
Japan calls upon North Korea to come into full compliance with the NPT and to cooperate promptly with the Agency in the full and effective implementation of Agency comprehensive safeguards, including all necessary safeguards activities provided for in the safeguards agreement. Japan emphasizes the critical importance for all states to fully implement relevant UNSC resolutions, and calls upon all states to continue working together to this end.
Madame Chair,
Japan commends the impartial efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat to apply comprehensive safeguards in North Korea and highly appreciates the Secretariat’s work to enhance the Agency’s ability and readiness to verify North Korea’s nuclear programme, which has been carried out within its mandate. We consider it important that the Agency’s expertise, knowledge and experience are utilized. We hope that the IAEA will take an important role in verifying North Korea’s nuclear programme, if concrete progress towards denuclearization of North Korea is made.
Japan will continue to closely coordinate with the international community toward the resolution of issues of concern regarding North Korea.
Thank you, Madame Chair.