Statement by Minister KUWABARA Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 5 June 2023 Item 6(c): Application of Safeguards in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
2023/6/6
Thank you, Chair,
Last September, the Director General’s report on the application of safeguards in North Korea underscored 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 the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The IAEA General Conference adopted, by consensus, the resolution entitled “Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement between the Agency and the DPRK”, demonstrating unified determination among IAEA Member States toward the denuclearization of North Korea.
Japan is seriously concerned about North Korea’s intensified nuclear and missile activities including its ballistic missile launches with an unprecedented frequency and in a new manner. This year, North Korea has already conducted 10 launches using ballistic missile technology. Three of them were ICBM-class ballistic missiles, including one that landed within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Most recently, last week, North Korea launched what it called a "military reconnaissance satellite" using ballistic missile technology and it seems that it failed. Even if it is called “satellite”, any launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology is a violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and it is absolutely unacceptable. In addition, there is a possibility of further provocations in the future, including another nuclear test. Concerted response of the international community is critical.
Japan strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all of its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and to take concrete steps towards achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all of its nuclear weapons, any other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges in accordance with the 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 of full implementation of 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 to apply comprehensive safeguards in North Korea, as well as the Agency’s work to enhance its ability and readiness to verify North Korea’s nuclear programme. It is crucial that the Agency’s expertise, knowledge and experience are maintained, and that the Agency plays an essential role in verifying North Korea’s nuclear programme, when 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.
Last September, the Director General’s report on the application of safeguards in North Korea underscored 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 the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The IAEA General Conference adopted, by consensus, the resolution entitled “Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement between the Agency and the DPRK”, demonstrating unified determination among IAEA Member States toward the denuclearization of North Korea.
Japan is seriously concerned about North Korea’s intensified nuclear and missile activities including its ballistic missile launches with an unprecedented frequency and in a new manner. This year, North Korea has already conducted 10 launches using ballistic missile technology. Three of them were ICBM-class ballistic missiles, including one that landed within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Most recently, last week, North Korea launched what it called a "military reconnaissance satellite" using ballistic missile technology and it seems that it failed. Even if it is called “satellite”, any launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology is a violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and it is absolutely unacceptable. In addition, there is a possibility of further provocations in the future, including another nuclear test. Concerted response of the international community is critical.
Japan strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all of its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and to take concrete steps towards achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all of its nuclear weapons, any other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges in accordance with the 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 of full implementation of 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 to apply comprehensive safeguards in North Korea, as well as the Agency’s work to enhance its ability and readiness to verify North Korea’s nuclear programme. It is crucial that the Agency’s expertise, knowledge and experience are maintained, and that the Agency plays an essential role in verifying North Korea’s nuclear programme, when 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.