US "Concerns Over North Korea's Continued Nuclear Activities... Maintaining Negotiations and Sanctions for FFVD"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Department of State expressed great concern in its '2020 Report on Compliance with and Implementation of Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments' submitted to Congress that North Korea continues its nuclear activities, urging the maintenance and enforcement of sanctions for denuclearization and calling for North Korea's return to the denuclearization negotiation table.

In the report released on the 23rd (local time), the State Department stated, "Throughout 2019, the United States remained deeply concerned about North Korea's nuclear weapons program and ongoing production of nuclear materials." This reflects the recognition that North Korea's nuclear activities continued even as denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. were underway.

The State Department cited an IAEA report indicating that construction of an experimental light-water reactor is underway in Yongbyon, warning of its potential use for nuclear material production once completed.

It also relayed reports of mining and other activities in areas declared as the P’yongsan uranium mine and uranium processing plant. The U.S. stated that it believes there may be additional undeclared nuclear facilities in North Korea.

The State Department noted that it cannot verify the extent of dismantlement at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, which North Korea closed, and asserted that it could be restored to its original state. It also assessed the possibility of constructing another nuclear test site.

While last year's report positively suggested that the suspension of nuclear tests and the demolition of Punggye-ri indicated a willingness to take further steps toward fulfilling denuclearization commitments, this year's report omitted that language.

The State Department stated in this report that it conveyed to its North Korean counterparts that, even after the breakdown of the Hanoi summit, it is prepared to simultaneously and concurrently pursue all commitments of the Singapore Joint Statement. It also emphasized that the U.S. is ready to explore ways to improve investment, infrastructure, and food security if North Korea fulfills its denuclearization commitments.

The State Department said, "We are prepared to engage North Korea through constructive negotiations," but added, "The international community will remain united until 'final, fully verified denuclearization' (FFVD) is achieved. UN and U.S. sanctions will remain in place and be fully enforced."

The State Department stated, "The United States continues to closely monitor North Korea's nuclear activities," and said, "North Korea's FFVD is the United States' top priority, and we remain committed to ongoing diplomatic negotiations with North Korea toward this goal."

Regarding North Korea's biological weapons capabilities, the State Department said, "The United States assesses that North Korea possesses an offensive biological weapons program," and "North Korea is believed to have had biological weapons capabilities since at least the 1960s." It also stated that North Korea may have weaponized biological weapons and likely has the capability to produce sufficient quantities of biological materials for military purposes under the leader's directives.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.