IAEA Board of Governors Meeting
Statement by Mr Stephen Hills, Alternate Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Agenda Item 4(a): Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
19 November 2020
Australia remains committed to the universally shared demand of the international community – that the DPRK implement its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions to abandon its nuclear, other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
The DPRK’s ongoing development of these programs presents an unacceptable challenge to the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament framework as established under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
The DPRK’s unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile at its 10 October military parade was a clear demonstration of its continued commitment to develop systems for the delivery of nuclear weapons, threatening global peace and security.
The DPRK’s new military hardware paraded on 10 October provides further reason for deep concern at the DPRK’s announcement in December 2019 that it no longer feels bound by its moratorium on nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile launches. We continue to call on the DPRK to choose the path of dialogue, particularly with each of the United States and the Republic of Korea, and to cease provocative actions that undermine prospects for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Now more than ever it is imperative that all countries implement UN Security Council sanctions against the DPRK. Sanctions cannot be effective unless they are enforced by all countries. Australia remains committed to implementing sanctions strictly and will continue to work alongside our partners to this end.
We note of course that the IAEA would have a crucial verification role to play should the DPRK finally agree to concrete actions and timeframes towards denuclearisation. Australia commends the Agency for the work it continues to undertake to intensify its readiness to return to the DPRK within available resources.
Australia once again urges the DPRK to return to compliance with the NPT, return to the IAEA Safeguards at an early date, and implement its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions.