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

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

Board of Governors

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Vienna, 2-6 March 2026

Chair,

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

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, 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 made by Russian officials which consider the DPRK's denuclearisation as a "closed issue". This is irresponsible and inconsistent with Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations, as well as 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 deeply 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. Any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology from Russia to the DPRK would be another serious violation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

We also resolutely condemn Russia's continuing illegal military cooperation with the DPRK. This includes the DPRK's deployment of troops and the transfer of arms to Russia, including ballistic missiles, in direct support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. We call on the DPRK and Russia to immediately cease these activities, which are a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

Chair,

The DPRK's recurring statements that it intends to increase its nuclear arsenal are of deep concern. This is amplified by the DPRK's ongoing nuclear activities, including indications of expanding of undeclared plutonium production and uranium enrichment capacities, as well as the DPRK's repeated ballistic missile launches, conducted in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, the most recent of which took place in January. The alleged ongoing development of a nuclear submarine capable of carrying nuclear weapons is deeply troubling.

The continued preparedness of the Punggye-Ri testing facilities to support another nuclear test remain deeply troubling. We urge the DPRK to refrain from testing nuclear weapons and 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.

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 fully in place.

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.