Board of Governors International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - EU Statement on Agenda item 5(d): Application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Board of Governors International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - EU Statement on Agenda item 5(d): Application of safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

EU Statement on Agenda item 5(d): Application of safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Board of Governors
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Vienna, 8-12 June 2026

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, San Marino and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.

The EU thanks the Director General for the update provided on the DPRK in his opening statement.

The EU condemns the DPRK's unlawful and destabilising actions that undermine regional and international peace and security. We urge the DPRK to comply with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions and abandon all its nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, its ballistic missile programmes and its existing nuclear programmes, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

The DPRK cannot and will not have the status of a nuclear weapon state under the NPT, or any other special status. The DPRK must return to compliance with the NPT and the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, and bring into force an Additional Protocol.

We remain alarmed by statements of Russian officials considering the DPRK's denuclearisation as a "closed issue". This is inconsistent with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations, as well as several DPRK-related UN Security Council resolutions that Russia itself voted for. It is particularly disappointing for a permanent member of the UN Security Council to treat this matter so lightly and expediently.

We also remain concerned about the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' Treaty between the DPRK and Russia, which includes a reference to cooperation on nuclear energy. We call on Russia to abide by its obligations under the NPT and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology from Russia to the DPRK would be a serious violation of these resolutions.

We also resolutely condemn Russia's continuing illegal military cooperation with the DPRK and call on them to immediately cease these activities, which are a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions. All UN Member States, especially members of the Security Council, must ensure the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. We stress that UN sanctions remain in place.

Chair,

The DPRK's recurring statements that it intends to increase its nuclear arsenal is of deep concern. This is amplified by the Agency's confirmation of the DPRK's expanding nuclear activities and by repeated ballistic missile launches conducted in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. This includes an increase in operations of undeclared plutonium production and possible preparations to operate an additional uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon. Furthermore, the alleged ongoing development of a so-called "strategic nuclear attack submarine" is deeply troubling.

We urge the DPRK to refrain from testing nuclear weapons, stop testing ballistic missiles, re-establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on long-range ballistic missile testing and nuclear tests, and sign and ratify the CTBT without further delay or preconditions.

Chair,

The EU reiterates its call on the DPRK to return to diplomacy with all relevant parties to build a basis for sustainable peace and security and to take steps aimed at pursuing the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. This includes the IAEA's return to the DPRK. The EU stands ready to support any such efforts.

We express our appreciation for the IAEA's monitoring of the DPRK's nuclear activities, and its readiness to engage with the DPRK, including on the issue of nuclear safety.

The EU requests the Director General to keep the Board of Governors informed of any developments and to maintain this item on its agenda.

Thank you, Chair.