Mme Chair
The Chinese delegation would like to thank the DG for his report on the implementation in the ROK of the Safegruards Agreement related to the NPT. The Chinese delegation believes that the report provides a large amount of facts and information, which enable us to understand more accurately and comprehensively the nature and scope of the ROK’s nuclear activities and their impact. The report shows that the verification work of the agency is deep-going, careful and professional, which underpins the examination of this agenda item by the board. The Chinese delegation appreciates the efforts made by the DG and the Secretariat under his leadership for this purpose.
Mme Chair
We have taken note that DG’s report points out that, although the quantities of nuclear materials involved in the ROK’s laboratory activities of enrichment and Plutonium separation have not been significant, yet the ROK failed to report the activities in a timely manner to the Agency in accordance with the obligations under its “Safeguards Agreement”. This is “a matter of serious concern”. The Chinese delegation also notes that the ROK has take corrective actions, and adopted an attitude of full cooperation in assisting the Agency’s investigation. The report believes that no indications show that the undeclared experiments still continue, but it requires that the ROK make all necessary efforts to provide operational records and detailed information on Plutonium separation and Uranium spectroscopy experiments. And the agency will continue to verify the correctness and comprehensiveness of the relevant declaration, and will report to the board as appropriate.
Mme Chair,
China advocates and attaches importance to the respect of the solemnness and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime. Like other members, the Chinese delegation expresses concerns over the facts in the DG’s report on the ROK’s experiment activities. The Chinese side believes that maintaining the non-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is highly significant to the maintenance of the region’s security and stability. Every member state of the NPT should strictly fulfill its treaty obligations to defend the international non-proliferation regime and to effectively prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The Chinese side appreciates the ROK’s pro-active cooperation during the Agency’s inspection, and hopes that the ROK will continue to cooperate fully with the agency in providing speedily relevant information as required by the Agency’s report, to clarify fully the relevant issues and relieve the concerns of the international community so as to bring about an early resolution of the issue within the framework of the Agency.
I Thank you, Mme.