'CVID' Omitted... Government at NPT Review Conference: "Approaching North Korea's Nuclear Issue Through Dialogue and Negotiation"

11th NPT Review Conference

The government has outlined its approach to the North Korean nuclear issue, prioritizing "dialogue and negotiation" at an international conference discussing the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The language regarding the goal of denuclearization has been softened compared to the past, and criticism of North Korea has also been toned down. This is interpreted as reflecting the "peaceful coexistence" stance that has been adopted since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration.

Jung Yeondu, Director of the Office of Diplomatic Strategy and Information, delivers the keynote speech at the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) held on the 27th (local time) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Jung Yeondu, the government's chief representative on North Korean nuclear issues and Director of the Foreign Policy Strategy and Intelligence Office, attended the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) held in New York, USA, on the 27th (local time). In his keynote speech, he stated, "We are pursuing a step-by-step approach that starts with halting North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs through dialogue and negotiation, leading to reduction and dismantlement." He added, "We will work closely with the international community for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and sustainable peace."

Since the 2000s, South Korea and the United States have used the phrase "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID)" when defining the goal of North Korea's denuclearization. This NPT review conference was held for the first time in about four years since 2022, and the government statement at that time included the term "CVID." However, it was omitted from this year's statement.

Direct criticism of North Korea was also restrained. Director Jung merely remarked, "We must draw attention to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs," and, unlike previous statements, did not mention the actual status of North Korea's nuclear development. However, regarding Russia, a permanent member of the NPT (P5), he urged, "Stop illegal military cooperation with North Korea that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions and fulfill your responsibility to uphold the global non-proliferation regime."

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