Statement by Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 8 June 2026 Item 5(d): Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
2026/6/10
Chair,
Japan remains deeply concerned by the continued development of North Korea’s nuclear programme, as repeatedly reported by DG Grossi. These unlawful activities pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and security, and undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
At the NPT Review Conference held last month in New York, many State Parties repeatedly underscored the importance of addressing North Korea’s nuclear issue, and a record number of countries and regions supported a joint statement on this matter during the deliberations. Japan firmly believes that this clearly demonstrates that the importance of this issue remains undiminished in the international community.
In light of this, Japan would once again like to emphasize the following three points.
(1) Japan calls on the international community to uphold the commitment to the goal of achieving CVID of all North Korea’s nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges.
(2) Japan urges North Korea to return to full compliance with IAEA safeguards and the NPT, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
(3) Japan calls upon all Member States to fully implement relevant UNSC resolutions.
Chair,
Last week, North Korea revealed a new nuclear material production plant and claimed that its capacity for producing the weapons-grade nuclear material had surpassed twice the previous level over the past five years. The international community should continue to maintain a high level of attention to North Korea's nuclear issue. The credibility and integrity of the Board of Governors are now being tested. Responsible actions by all Member States are required. From this perspective, any attempts to remove this agenda item from the Board are unacceptable. It is also critically important that the General Conference resolution on North Korea, which was opposed by two current designated members of the Board last year, be adopted by consensus at the forthcoming GC in September.
Finally, Japan will continue to firmly support the Agency’s essential role and work closely with the United States, the Republic of Korea, and other like-minded Member States toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
Thank you, Chair
Japan remains deeply concerned by the continued development of North Korea’s nuclear programme, as repeatedly reported by DG Grossi. These unlawful activities pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and security, and undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
At the NPT Review Conference held last month in New York, many State Parties repeatedly underscored the importance of addressing North Korea’s nuclear issue, and a record number of countries and regions supported a joint statement on this matter during the deliberations. Japan firmly believes that this clearly demonstrates that the importance of this issue remains undiminished in the international community.
In light of this, Japan would once again like to emphasize the following three points.
(1) Japan calls on the international community to uphold the commitment to the goal of achieving CVID of all North Korea’s nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges.
(2) Japan urges North Korea to return to full compliance with IAEA safeguards and the NPT, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
(3) Japan calls upon all Member States to fully implement relevant UNSC resolutions.
Chair,
Last week, North Korea revealed a new nuclear material production plant and claimed that its capacity for producing the weapons-grade nuclear material had surpassed twice the previous level over the past five years. The international community should continue to maintain a high level of attention to North Korea's nuclear issue. The credibility and integrity of the Board of Governors are now being tested. Responsible actions by all Member States are required. From this perspective, any attempts to remove this agenda item from the Board are unacceptable. It is also critically important that the General Conference resolution on North Korea, which was opposed by two current designated members of the Board last year, be adopted by consensus at the forthcoming GC in September.
Finally, Japan will continue to firmly support the Agency’s essential role and work closely with the United States, the Republic of Korea, and other like-minded Member States toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
Thank you, Chair