IAEA Board of Governors Meeting
Agenda item 8c: Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
8 June 2022
Chair
Australia strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s ongoing actions in support of its illicit and dangerous nuclear weapons program.
Australia further condemns the succession of provocative and destabilising ballistic missile launches – including intercontinental ballistic missile launches – conducted by the DPRK since September last year. These launches contravene multiple UN Security Council resolutions and totally disregard the potential ramifications for international peace and security.
We are deeply concerned by recent reports that the DPRK may be preparing to conduct a nuclear test at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site.
Chair
The DPRK’s illegal actions are dangerous and reckless. They risk damaging the international non-proliferation and disarmament architecture. This is unacceptable.
We reaffirm our call on the DPRK to comply fully with the UN Security Council resolutions requiring it to abandon its nuclear, other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
Australia is committed to maintaining and enforcing sanctions against the DPRK until it takes clear steps to abandon these programs. We continue to work alongside our partners to ensure UN Security Council sanctions are implemented to the fullest extent possible, including through the deployment of our military to monitor and deter sanctions violations. We also supplement UN Security Council sanctions with our own autonomous sanctions against the DPRK. We
Chair
It is incumbent on the Board, and the international community more broadly, to continue to call out the DPRK’s illegal actions.
We call on the DPRK to cease provocations and make a sustained commitment to diplomacy. Permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula can only be achieved through dialogue.
We reiterate our calls upon the DPRK to return to compliance with the NPT, to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty and to fully comply with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions.
Chair
It is clear that the IAEA will have a crucial verification role to play in the event the DPRK agrees to concrete actions towards denuclearisation. Australia commends the Agency for maintaining and enhancing its readiness to return to the DPRK.
Thank you.