IAEA Secretary General: "North Korea Continues Nuclear Development... Will Serve as Dialogue Channel"

Secretary-General Grossi, Interview with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Corps
"North Korea Continues Nuclear Development Efforts Including Plutonium Reprocessing"
"Will Provide 'Dialogue Channel' Anytime If Needed"
On Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge: "Providing Real-Time Information"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun · Ministry of Foreign Affairs Joint Coverage Team] Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who is visiting Korea, stated regarding North Korea's 7th nuclear test trends that "North Korea continues efforts to reproduce plutonium and maintain a weapons-grade nuclear program."

He emphasized that to prevent North Korea's nuclear armament efforts, "we are ready to take on a constructive role whenever necessary," expressing IAEA's willingness to provide a platform as a channel for dialogue toward denuclearization.

Raphael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is being interviewed on the morning of the 16th at the Foreign Ministry's VIP reception room in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In an interview with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press corps on the morning of the 16th, Director General Grossi said, "We have obtained information that North Korea is continuously pursuing efforts related to uranium enrichment."

This was in response to a question about his earlier remark on the 14th, when he arrived at Incheon International Airport, stating that "there is quite concerning information" regarding North Korea's 7th nuclear test.

Regarding the status of the nuclear test site located in Punggye-ri, North Hamgyong Province, he explained, "We can see attempts to restore tunnel number 3," adding, "Such activities are detected around the entrance, roads, and surrounding areas." He further noted, "Although I have not directly spoken with North Korean leadership, based on past experience, this is what I am indicating."

Director General Grossi said he met with President Yoon Suk-yeol and Foreign Minister Park Jin the previous day and discussed that North Korea's nuclear and missile threats violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.

He added, "It is very important to have accurate information like this," explaining, "We are continuously striving to obtain precise information through the Vienna Group and Korean experts."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is meeting with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 15th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the plan to discharge radioactive contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, expected in the first half of next year, he said, "(The concerns of the Korean people) are very important, and we take these concerns very seriously," adding, "We intend to disclose all necessary information transparently according to the process."

Director General Grossi mentioned that discussions are underway with Japanese authorities about providing real-time information on the 'treated water' discharged into the sea. For example, they plan to monitor whether the treated water meets international safety standards and provide such detailed information in real time to alleviate concerns.

Japan currently stores radioactive contaminated water produced at the Fukushima nuclear plant in water tanks on the plant site after purification through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS).

Japan plans to further purify and dilute this water before releasing it into the ocean, but concerns remain about marine discharge because the 'treated water' purified by ALPS still contains radioactive substances, including tritium.

Raphael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is being interviewed on the morning of the 16th at the Foreign Ministry's VIP reception room in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Director General Grossi drew a clear line, stating, "The Russian government itself has said there is no possibility of using nuclear weapons, and I have consistently said nuclear weapons should not be used."

He continued, "My focus is not on nuclear weapons but on the risk of a nuclear accident," emphasizing the real risk of an accident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and continuous shelling and power outages occur in the surrounding area. Director General Grossi pointed out that if the power supply is cut off, the cooling system will stop, potentially leading to an accident.

Meanwhile, Director General Grossi will depart after concluding his visit to Korea on the same day. This is the first visit by an IAEA Director General in five years since Yukiya Amano in September 2017.

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