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🇰🇷 South Korea /Energy & Infrastructure

North Korea's Nuclear Program Poses 'Most Urgent Challenge' to Non-Proliferation, Seoul Envoy States

From Hankyoreh · (6m ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • South Korea's top nuclear envoy, Jeong Yeon-doo, reiterated the goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula at the NPT Review Conference.
  • Jeong described North Korea's nuclear program as the most urgent challenge to the non-proliferation regime, noting it's the only case of a state withdrawing from the NPT to develop nuclear weapons.
  • He urged North Korea to return to its NPT obligations and comply with UN Security Council resolutions, while also calling on nuclear-weapon states to engage in dialogue to enhance transparency and build mutual trust.

At the 11th Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York, South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator, Jeong Yeon-doo, forcefully articulated Seoul's unwavering commitment to the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea (CVID). Speaking as the Director-General of the Foreign Ministry's Office of Diplomatic Security Policy, Jeong did not mince words in characterizing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions as the paramount threat facing the global non-proliferation framework.

North Korea is the only case of a state withdrawing from the NPT regime, enjoying its benefits, and then openly continuing to develop nuclear weapons.

— Jeong Yeon-dooDirector-General of the Foreign Ministry's Office of Diplomatic Security Policy, describing North Korea's nuclear program at the NPT Review Conference.

Jeong underscored the unique and alarming nature of North Korea's actions, highlighting it as the sole signatory to the NPT that has withdrawn from the treaty and openly pursued nuclear weapon development. This starkly contrasts with the treaty's core purpose and presents an urgent challenge that demands international attention and concerted action. The envoy emphasized that the Korean Peninsula's peace, stability, and prosperity are intrinsically linked to the strength and integrity of the NPT regime.

It is the most urgent challenge to the non-proliferation regime.

— Jeong Yeon-dooJeong Yeon-doo characterized the North Korean nuclear issue as a critical threat to global non-proliferation efforts.

While reaffirming South Korea's phased approach—involving denuclearization steps like suspension, reduction, and dismantlement—through dialogue and cooperation, Jeong also issued a clear call to Pyongyang. He urged North Korea to respond positively to these efforts and to recommit to its international obligations under the NPT and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The speech also extended to the broader NPT framework, with Jeong imploring nuclear-weapon states to uphold the treaty's spirit by engaging in dialogue aimed at enhancing transparency and fostering mutual trust, especially in light of the waning effectiveness of arms control agreements and rising global tensions.

Our government consistently adheres to the goal of complete denuclearization and establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, while implementing phased denuclearization measures through dialogue and cooperation.

— Jeong Yeon-dooThe envoy outlined South Korea's strategy for addressing the North Korean nuclear issue.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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