Trilateral Statement delivered by the United States on behalf of Japan and the Republic of Korea at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 2 March 2026 Item 5(b): Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
2026/3/4
Chair,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. Our three countries are united in our steadfast commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
As the Director General documented in his latest report, and reiterated in his statement to the November Board, North Korea continues to expand its unlawful nuclear program. The report and statement clearly note continued operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and the Light Water Reactor at Yongbyon, as well as indications of reprocessing activity. They also highlighted ongoing operations and continued expansion of North Korea’s uranium enrichment complexes. The report documented efforts toward the development of a nuclear-powered submarine. These programs undermine both security in the region and the broader non-proliferation regime.
North Korea’s nuclear activities and ballistic missile programs violate multiple UNSC resolutions and undermine the global non-proliferation regime. We urge North Korea to fully comply with its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions; take concrete steps to completely abandon all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear and ballistic missiles programs; and return to at an early date, and fully comply with, the NPT and IAEA safeguards.
We also express our serious concern over the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including ballistic missile and other arms transfers in direct violation of multiple UNSC resolutions. We call upon all Member States to fully, comprehensively, and immediately abide by their obligations under the relevant UNSC resolutions, including the prohibition of the transfer and procurement of all arms and related material to and from North Korea.
Chair,
Our three countries remain firmly committed to responding to North Korea’s nuclear threat, while also remaining open to dialogue with North Korea. We urge North Korea to cease all provocations and destabilizing actions, including any further nuclear tests or ballistic missile launches, and return to dialogue at an early date, through which we can denuclearize and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.
We would like to express our appreciation to the Director General and the Secretariat for their continued efforts to monitor developments with respect to North Korea’s nuclear program. We strongly support the IAEA’s continued work to maintain and enhance readiness to carry out monitoring and verification activities in North Korea, if called upon to do so and we support the continued maintenance of this item on the Board’s agenda.
Thank you, Chair.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. Our three countries are united in our steadfast commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
As the Director General documented in his latest report, and reiterated in his statement to the November Board, North Korea continues to expand its unlawful nuclear program. The report and statement clearly note continued operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and the Light Water Reactor at Yongbyon, as well as indications of reprocessing activity. They also highlighted ongoing operations and continued expansion of North Korea’s uranium enrichment complexes. The report documented efforts toward the development of a nuclear-powered submarine. These programs undermine both security in the region and the broader non-proliferation regime.
North Korea’s nuclear activities and ballistic missile programs violate multiple UNSC resolutions and undermine the global non-proliferation regime. We urge North Korea to fully comply with its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions; take concrete steps to completely abandon all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear and ballistic missiles programs; and return to at an early date, and fully comply with, the NPT and IAEA safeguards.
We also express our serious concern over the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including ballistic missile and other arms transfers in direct violation of multiple UNSC resolutions. We call upon all Member States to fully, comprehensively, and immediately abide by their obligations under the relevant UNSC resolutions, including the prohibition of the transfer and procurement of all arms and related material to and from North Korea.
Chair,
Our three countries remain firmly committed to responding to North Korea’s nuclear threat, while also remaining open to dialogue with North Korea. We urge North Korea to cease all provocations and destabilizing actions, including any further nuclear tests or ballistic missile launches, and return to dialogue at an early date, through which we can denuclearize and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.
We would like to express our appreciation to the Director General and the Secretariat for their continued efforts to monitor developments with respect to North Korea’s nuclear program. We strongly support the IAEA’s continued work to maintain and enhance readiness to carry out monitoring and verification activities in North Korea, if called upon to do so and we support the continued maintenance of this item on the Board’s agenda.
Thank you, Chair.