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EU Statement at IAEA Board of Governors on the application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (6-10 March 2023)

08.03.2023
Vienna
Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: Türkiye§, North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine*, the Republic of Moldova*, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Georgia, Iceland+, Liechtenstein+, Norway+, Armenia and San Marino.

The EU strongly condemns the DPRK’s unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile activities. The recent escalation of its unlawful activities, including its launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile and the subsequent firing of short-range ballistic missiles, further undermine the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and pose a serious threat to international peace and security. The restoration of tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site and ongoing activity at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and other locations have heightened our concern that the DPRK may test a nuclear weapon. The DPRK’s intention to produce and possess tactical nuclear weapons and the adoption of a new nuclear doctrine in September 2022 are also of grave concern.

The multiple UN Security Council resolutions make it very clear that the DPRK is not allowed to conduct nuclear tests and must immediately abandon all nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile programmes and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and cease all related activities. The repeated unlawful actions taken by the DPRK, in flagrant violation of its international obligations, cannot and will never confer upon it the status of a nuclear weapon State in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or any special status whatsoever.

Therefore, the EU urges the DPRK:

  • to refrain from testing nuclear weapons
  • to refrain from launches of ballistic missiles, and to introduce a full moratorium on all types of missile launches;
  • to refrain from other forms of destabilising action;
  • to immediately engage in concrete action to comply with its obligation to abandon its nuclear weapons, any other weapons of mass destruction, its ballistic missiles and dismantle all related programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner;
  • to return to full compliance with its obligations under the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon State and the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and to bring into force an Additional Protocol to that Agreement; and
  • to abide by its moratorium on nuclear tests and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), without delay and without preconditions.

It is of utmost importance that the international community is united and vigilant in addressing the DPRK nuclear and missile proliferation threat. The EU urges all UN Member States, especially members of the UN Security Council, to ensure the full implementation of sanctions and engage in actions that effectively block the flow of finance, components or knowledge that could support the DPRK’s unlawful weapons programmes.

Chair,

The only viable route to sustainable peace and security on the Korean peninsula lies in the DPRK complying with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions. The EU urges the DPRK to engage in meaningful discussions with all relevant parties to build a basis for sustainable peace and security and to take steps aimed at pursuing complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. It is highly regrettable that the DPRK has not taken concrete steps in this regard. We urge the DPRK to resume discussions with all relevant parties to reach an agreement that would facilitate the Agency’s return to the DPRK. The EU stands ready to support a diplomatic process.

We reiterate our appreciation for the continued efforts of the IAEA's DPRK Team to monitor the nuclear situation in that country. Any verification efforts would benefit from technical assistance by the IAEA and, as appropriate, the CTBTO.

The IAEA must remain seized of the matter in accordance with the resolutions of the IAEA General Conference. The EU requests the Director General to keep the Board of Governors informed of any developments and to maintain this item on the agenda of its future meetings.

Thank you, Chair.

 

§ Candidate Country

* Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, as well as potential Candidate Country Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

+ Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are members of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.