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IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, Agenda Item 4a: Application of Safeguards in the DPRK
U.S. statement as delivered by Ambassador Jackie Wolcott
Vienna, Austria, November 19, 2020
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The United States stands ready to resume negotiations with the DPRK to make progress towards realizing the commitments President Trump and Chairman Kim made at their summit in Singapore, including the complete denuclearization of the DPRK. Unfortunately, the DPRK has not shown any willingness to engage diplomatically.
At the IAEA’s General Conference this year, Member States adopted a resolution that resoundingly condemned the DPRK’s continued development of its nuclear program as outlined in the Director General’s report, which builds on longstanding concerns from the IAEA and the international community. The United States appreciates the Agency’s continued work in monitoring the DPRK’s nuclear program and supports the IAEA’s intensified efforts to plan and maintain readiness for a potential resumption of activities in the DPRK.
While the United States remains open to making progress through diplomacy toward the goals committed to in Singapore, we must continue to collectively demand that the DPRK fully comply with its international obligations and commitments, particularly regarding its prohibited nuclear and WMD programs and delivery systems. We also stress the importance of all UN Member States fully implementing their sanctions obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and taking decisive action to prevent sanctions evasion.
Finally, Madam Chair, the DPRK’s continued development of its unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs poses an unacceptable threat to the international community. The only way for the DPRK to achieve the security and prosperity that it seeks is by engaging in sustained and intensive negotiations with the United States to achieve complete denuclearization.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
