Disarmament

IAEA Board of Governors: 7-11 March 2011

Agenda Item 5(b): Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

New Zealand statement

Thank you Mr Chairman.

We thank the Director General for his update on developments with respect to the application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

We regret that the DPRK has not re-engaged with the IAEA since ceasing cooperation with the Agency in April 2009, and that the DPRK has taken further backward steps since that time.

New Zealand is deeply concerned by reports that the DPRK continues to develop its nuclear capabilities outside the Agency’s safeguards system, particularly the new uranium enrichment facility at the Yongbyon complex. Such developments violate resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA General Conference taken in response to the DPRK’s actions, as well as the Six Party Joint Statement of 19 September 2005.

New Zealand considers it essential that the IAEA be given access to the Yongbyon complex, and that the DPRK provide the international community with a level of confidence in the nature of its nuclear programme through the application of appropriate IAEA safeguards.

We urge the DPRK to take these critical steps and to refrain from further destabilising acts. We call on the DPRK leadership to refocus its efforts towards peace and dialogue, including by fulfilling its Six Party Talks commitment to abandon its existing nuclear programme.

We support the ongoing inclusion of the DPRK on the agenda of the IAEA Board of Governors.

Thank you Mr Chairman.

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