US Secretary of State: "North Korea Preparing Nuclear Test... Provocations Continue" Emphasizes Denuclearization in NPT Speech

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken criticized North Korea on the 1st (local time) for continuing provocations, including preparing for a nuclear test.

In his speech at the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Blinken stated, "North Korea continues to expand its illegal nuclear program and persistently provokes in the region."

He pointed out, "As we gather today, North Korea is preparing for its 7th nuclear test." South Korean and U.S. authorities believe that North Korea, which has continued missile provocations this year, has virtually completed preparations for a nuclear test. He added, "There is no doubt that the NPT has made the world safer, but there is also no doubt that tensions are rising," and emphasized the importance of the NPT's goal of preventing nuclear proliferation by saying, "That is why we have gathered at this critical moment."

At the NPT Review Conference, held for the first time in seven years, the international community expressed concerns regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Northern Ireland issued a joint ministerial statement saying, "We remain committed to the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all nuclear weapons possessed by North Korea," and urged North Korea to "cease all nuclear tests, ballistic missile launches using nuclear technology, and related activities in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions."

Russia's nuclear threats following its invasion of Ukraine and Iran's nuclear development were also highlighted as serious nuclear proliferation issues. UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres expressed concern, stating, "At a time when the nuclear crisis is festering?from the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula to Russia's invasion of Ukraine?nearly 13,000 nuclear weapons are stored in arsenals worldwide."

The NPT Review Conference, held every five years, was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed for two years due to the spread of COVID-19.

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