IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, Agenda Item 9(a): Nuclear Verification – Application of Safeguards in the DPRK
U.S. statement as delivered by Ambassador Jackie Wolcott
Vienna, Austria, September 16, 2020
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The United States remains guided by the vision set by President Trump and Chairman Kim at the historic Singapore Summit: transformed relations between the United States and the DPRK, building lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, the complete denuclearization of the DPRK, as well as a brighter future for the Korean people. We have repeatedly taken steps to keep the door open for diplomacy, but the DPRK must decide it is ready to engage and appoint a representative empowered to negotiate on these issues. Dialogue can lead to action, but action is impossible without dialogue.
We appreciate the Agency’s continued work in monitoring the DPRK’s nuclear program and welcome the Director General’s report on the application of safeguards in the DPRK. The United States supports the IAEA’s intensified efforts to plan and maintain readiness for a potential resumption of activities in the DPRK. We also note the Director General’s reference to Chairman Kim’s statement that the DPRK no longer considers itself bound by its nuclear test moratorium and share his assessment that the DPRK’s nuclear activities remain a cause for serious concern.
While we are open to making progress through diplomacy toward the goals set out in Singapore, we must continue to collectively demand that the DPRK fully comply with its international obligations and commitments. UN Security Council resolutions that apply to the DPRK remain in full effect, and UN Member States are bound by their obligations under them. We continue to ask all countries to fully implement their obligations under the UN Security Council resolutions and take decisive action to prevent sanctions evasion. Through these actions, the international community can incentivize the DPRK to engage in negotiations as the only viable path to its economic development and long-term security.
We are united in calling on the DPRK to cease all provocations, return to the NPT and IAEA safeguards, abide by its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and engage in sustained and intensive negotiations with the United States to achieve complete denuclearization. The DPRK’s continued development of its unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs poses a serious threat to the international community. We encourage the Director General to remain seized of the matter.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
