IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, Agenda Item 6(c): Nuclear Verification – Application of Safeguards in the DPRK

U.S. statement as delivered by Ambassador Jackie Wolcott
Vienna, Austria

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The United States remains committed to making progress through diplomacy on the goals President Trump and Chairman Kim set at the historic Singapore summit, including the complete denuclearization of the DPRK. However, the DPRK has not demonstrated a sincere desire to enter into negotiations.

Although we stand ready to engage, there can be no wavering from our collective demand that the DPRK fully comply with its international obligations and commitments. Relevant 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 urge all countries to redouble efforts to fully implement UN sanctions and take action to prevent sanctions evasion.

At last year’s IAEA General Conference, Member States once again resoundingly condemned the DPRK’s continued development of its unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and urged the DPRK to return to the NPT and IAEA safeguards. We are united in calling on the DPRK to cease all provocations, comply with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and resume negotiations with the United States to achieve complete denuclearization. The only way for the DPRK to achieve the security and prosperity that it seeks is by abandoning its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

We commend the Agency’s continued work in monitoring the DPRK’s nuclear program, support the IAEA’s efforts to plan and maintain readiness for a potential resumption of activities in the DPRK, and encourage the Director General to remain seized of the matter.

Thank you, Madam Chair.