IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda item 6(a): Application of safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
9 September 2025
Statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Chair
Australia echoes the appreciation, expressed by previous speakers, for the Director General and his team. We value their efforts to keep the Board informed of developments relevant to the DPRK’s illicit nuclear program.
We recall the international community’s firm opposition to the DPRK’s unilateral renunciation of its obligations following this Board’s finding of non-compliance with its safeguards agreement, its subsequent nuclear tests, and actions to cease all cooperation with the Agency.
We are deeply troubled, yet again, by the indications detailed in the Director General’s report consistent with the continued development of the DPRK’s illicit nuclear program. This includes: the DPRK’s expanded uranium enrichment activities, with construction of an additional enrichment facility; the conduct of a possible reprocessing campaign; the operation of the five-megawatt reactor and the Light Water Reactor; and the preparedness of the Punggye-ri test site to support a nuclear test.
It is crucial that the Board maintains oversight over the DPRK’s nuclear activities which carry serious implications for global peace and security. The DPRK’s conduct remains wholly unacceptable. Its persistent non-compliance, defiance and belligerence are unacceptable.
Chair
Australia reiterates our support for the IAEA’s efforts to maintain enhanced readiness to resume its essential verification role. Through its impartial monitoring and technical analysis, the Agency plays a critical role in efforts to address the threats posed by the DPRK’s nuclear program. We note the possible safety risks associated with the DPRK’s nuclear activities highlighted in the Director General’s latest report. We consider this to be a further concerning dimension, in addition to the program’s unquestionably illicit and destabilising nature.
Australia urges the DPRK to return to full compliance with its non-proliferation obligations and to cooperate with the IAEA for the full and effective implementation of comprehensive safeguards. We utterly reject any attempt by the DPRK, or others, to normalise its illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons. The DPRK cannot, and will never, have the status of a Nuclear Weapon State under the NPT.
We look forward to seeing these core messages reaffirmed once again at the forthcoming General Conference, as IAEA Member States have consistently done by adopting a consensus resolution on the DPRK over successive years. In this context, we express appreciation to the Canadian delegation for their dedicated effort as Coordinator of this resolution.
Thank you.