Statement by Ambassador HIKIHARA Takeshi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 12 September 2022 Item 8(a): Application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
2022/9/14
Thank you, Chair,
Japan thanks the Director General Grossi and the Secretariat for the report on the application of safeguards in North Korea, issued last week.
One year ago, the IAEA General Conference adopted the resolution entitled “Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement between the Agency and the DPRK” by consensus, demonstrating unified determination among IAEA Member States toward the denuclearization of North Korea.
It is deeply regrettable that the recent report had to underscore once again, with updated information, that North Korea’s nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern, and that the continuation of North Korea’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The report also states that the reopening of the nuclear test site is deeply troubling, as is the expansion of the reported centrifuge enrichment facility and the continued operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and other facilities. Furthermore, North Korea has adopted a new legislation last week specifying conditions for the use of nuclear weapons, among other things. Japan is paying close attention to this development with concern.
North Korea has been launching ballistic missiles with an extremely high frequency and in new ways, especially since the beginning of this year. Its missile tests show progress in their technology for delivery systems.
Japan is deeply concerned about North Korea’s continued development of nuclear and missile capabilities for the security of Japan, the region and the international community. North Korea’s steady improvement in its nuclear and missile technology poses a serious challenge to the international non-proliferation regime.
Chair,
Japan strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all of its obligations under relevant UN Security Council 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 UN Security Council resolutions. Japan also urges North Korea to return to 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 all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and calls upon all states to continue working together to this end.
Chair,
Japan commends the impartial efforts of Director General Grossi and the Secretariat, in carrying out its mandate in applying comprehensive safeguards in North Korea, and for its work to enhance the Agency’s ability and readiness to verify North Korea’s nuclear programme. We deem it crucial that the Agency’s expertise, knowledge and experience are maintained and utilized, and that the Agency will play an essential role in verifying North Korea’s nuclear programme, if concrete progress towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea is made.
Japan will continue to work closely with the international community to resolve these concerns regarding North Korea.
Thank you, Chair.
Japan thanks the Director General Grossi and the Secretariat for the report on the application of safeguards in North Korea, issued last week.
One year ago, the IAEA General Conference adopted the resolution entitled “Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement between the Agency and the DPRK” by consensus, demonstrating unified determination among IAEA Member States toward the denuclearization of North Korea.
It is deeply regrettable that the recent report had to underscore once again, with updated information, that North Korea’s nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern, and that the continuation of North Korea’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The report also states that the reopening of the nuclear test site is deeply troubling, as is the expansion of the reported centrifuge enrichment facility and the continued operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and other facilities. Furthermore, North Korea has adopted a new legislation last week specifying conditions for the use of nuclear weapons, among other things. Japan is paying close attention to this development with concern.
North Korea has been launching ballistic missiles with an extremely high frequency and in new ways, especially since the beginning of this year. Its missile tests show progress in their technology for delivery systems.
Japan is deeply concerned about North Korea’s continued development of nuclear and missile capabilities for the security of Japan, the region and the international community. North Korea’s steady improvement in its nuclear and missile technology poses a serious challenge to the international non-proliferation regime.
Chair,
Japan strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all of its obligations under relevant UN Security Council 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 UN Security Council resolutions. Japan also urges North Korea to return to 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 all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and calls upon all states to continue working together to this end.
Chair,
Japan commends the impartial efforts of Director General Grossi and the Secretariat, in carrying out its mandate in applying comprehensive safeguards in North Korea, and for its work to enhance the Agency’s ability and readiness to verify North Korea’s nuclear programme. We deem it crucial that the Agency’s expertise, knowledge and experience are maintained and utilized, and that the Agency will play an essential role in verifying North Korea’s nuclear programme, if concrete progress towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea is made.
Japan will continue to work closely with the international community to resolve these concerns regarding North Korea.
Thank you, Chair.