MEDIA RELEASE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER FA150 17 October 2002

DPRK NUCLEAR PROGRAM

The Australian Government is gravely concerned about the DPRK’s admission that it is operating a secret nuclear weapons program involving uranium enrichment.

This program, admitted by the DPRK during the 3-4 October visit to Pyongyang by the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Jim Kelly, threatens to undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.  This is an extremely important issue for the region and Australia.  Acquisition of nuclear weapons by the DPRK would be contrary to the interests of all regional countries.

The international community cannot turn a blind eye to this breach of the DPRK’s obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the 1994 US-DPRK Agreed Framework.

Australia has been a strong supporter of the Framework as a mechanism for freezing the DPRK’s nuclear program.  The DPRK signed onto the Framework on the basis that it would freeze its nuclear program and not engage in further nuclear proliferation activities.

In my meetings with DPRK representatives, I have consistently urged the DPRK to implement commitments made under the Agreed Framework and the NPT and emphasised the importance of full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  To help the DPRK develop a better understanding of IAEA requirements, Australia has provided training in nuclear materials accounting.

I call upon the DPRK to comply fully with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations and to engage constructively with the international community on these and other issues of concern relating to its missile proliferation and conventional forces.

Australia shares the international community’s concerns about the DPRK’s nuclear program. Early and full compliance with its non-proliferation obligations is very much in the DPRK’s interest, including its prospects for economic development and normal relationships with neighbours and other countries, including Australia.

We will continue to work in close consultation with our regional and international partners to address concerns over the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and to support cooperation and reconciliation between the two Koreas.

Media inquiries:  Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 0419 206 890 Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02-6261 1555

