Statement by Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Wednesday, 19 November 2025 Item 5(b): Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
2025/11/19
Thank you, Chair,
Japan fully aligns itself with the Joint Statement of the DPRK Core Group delivered by Canada.
Japan reiterates its grave concern over North Korea’s expanding nuclear activities, as repeatedly reported by DG. We also strongly condemn North Korea’s continued ballistic missile launches, including the one conducted on 7 November.
These actions constitute clear violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan therefore strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all relevant UNSC resolutions, the NPT, and the IAEA’s comprehensive safeguards. We further call on North Korea to take concrete steps toward the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges.
Chair,
Japan emphasizes that North Korea’s nuclear issue is not merely a regional concern but a global challenge that strikes at the very core of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
Regrettably, two current designated members of the Board voted against the recent GC resolution. Moreover, one of these is refraining from insisting on North Korea’s denuclearization and attempting to exclude this item from the agenda of the Board. Japan emphasizes this directly impacts the credibility and integrity of the IAEA. Tolerating the status quo or tacitly accepting the current situation leads to condoning, even encouraging, North Korea’s nuclear development, including its reprocessing and enrichment activities.
Chair,
Japan considers the IAEA to be an essential international institution for monitoring North Korea’s nuclear activities and will continue to support the Agency’s efforts, including its preparations for future verification activities in North Korea. Furthermore, Japan will also strengthen its engagement with North Korea in close coordination with the United States, the Republic of Korea, and other like-minded countries, in pursuit of the complete denuclearization of the North Korea.
Chair,
Since one of the preceding speakers touched upon Japan’s security policy, I wish to express following points, for clarity. Japan's defense capability is necessary to ensure the security of Japan in the face of the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II. The Government of Japan steadfastly upholds its so-called Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a fundamental policy. Japan has consistently pursued a path as a peace-loving nation since the end of World War II, contributing to global peace and prosperity, and this stance remains unchanged.
Thank you, Chair.
Japan fully aligns itself with the Joint Statement of the DPRK Core Group delivered by Canada.
Japan reiterates its grave concern over North Korea’s expanding nuclear activities, as repeatedly reported by DG. We also strongly condemn North Korea’s continued ballistic missile launches, including the one conducted on 7 November.
These actions constitute clear violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan therefore strongly urges North Korea to fully comply with all relevant UNSC resolutions, the NPT, and the IAEA’s comprehensive safeguards. We further call on North Korea to take concrete steps toward the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges.
Chair,
Japan emphasizes that North Korea’s nuclear issue is not merely a regional concern but a global challenge that strikes at the very core of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
Regrettably, two current designated members of the Board voted against the recent GC resolution. Moreover, one of these is refraining from insisting on North Korea’s denuclearization and attempting to exclude this item from the agenda of the Board. Japan emphasizes this directly impacts the credibility and integrity of the IAEA. Tolerating the status quo or tacitly accepting the current situation leads to condoning, even encouraging, North Korea’s nuclear development, including its reprocessing and enrichment activities.
Chair,
Japan considers the IAEA to be an essential international institution for monitoring North Korea’s nuclear activities and will continue to support the Agency’s efforts, including its preparations for future verification activities in North Korea. Furthermore, Japan will also strengthen its engagement with North Korea in close coordination with the United States, the Republic of Korea, and other like-minded countries, in pursuit of the complete denuclearization of the North Korea.
Chair,
Since one of the preceding speakers touched upon Japan’s security policy, I wish to express following points, for clarity. Japan's defense capability is necessary to ensure the security of Japan in the face of the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II. The Government of Japan steadfastly upholds its so-called Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a fundamental policy. Japan has consistently pursued a path as a peace-loving nation since the end of World War II, contributing to global peace and prosperity, and this stance remains unchanged.
Thank you, Chair.