UN Nuclear Watchdog Concludes North Korea Destroyed Evidence

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has concluded that North Korea destroyed evidence needed to determine whether it possesses the atom bomb, U.S. officials said. Assistant Secretary of State Robert Gallucci stated that the IAEA has notified the five members of the U.N. Security Council of its conclusions, prompting calls for punitive economic sanctions against the autocratic state. As a result, the Security Council must soon begin deliberations on the application of such sanctions. The opportunity for analysis is lost forever, Gallucci said, emphasizing that the ability to know how the reactor was operated in the past is irretrievably lost.

Key Takeaways:

  • The IAEA has concluded that North Korea willfully and "irretrievably" destroyed evidence needed to determine whether Pyongyang possesses the atom bomb.
  • The IAEA found no technical reason for North Korea to discharge fuel from the civilian reactor at its Yongbyon complex, and the removal of 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods was a political decision by the North Koreans.
  • The IAEA held three days of detailed discussions with North Korean officials before they began the procedure, but North Korea defied the IAEA's wishes and destroyed the necessary evidence.
  • Assistant Secretary of State Robert Gallucci stated that the Security Council must soon begin deliberations on the application of punitive economic sanctions against North Korea.
  • The U.S. is considering applying sanctions, including discussing "what type of sanctions" to pursue with Japanese and South Korean diplomats.
  • North Korean officials have stated that sanctions would be considered an act of war and would have "devastating consequences that would menace peace in Asia and the rest of the world."
  • The IAEA had two inspectors observing the process, but North Korea's actions made it impossible to determine if they diverted radioactive material in 1989.
  • China, a permanent member of the Security Council, may balk at applying sanctions but has no interest in dealing with a nuclear-armed North Korea on its border.

Statistics:

  • 8,000: The number of spent nuclear fuel rods removed from the civilian reactor at North Korea's Yongbyon complex.
  • 300: The number of rods the IAEA wanted Pyongyang to set aside for later examination to determine if North Korea diverted radioactive material in 1989.
  • 3: The number of days of detailed discussions the IAEA had with North Korean officials before they began the procedure to remove the fuel rods.

Sources:

  • Byline: SID BALMAN Jr. UPI Diplomatic Writer WASHINGTON, June 2
  • Quotes and information obtained from Assistant Secretary of State Robert Gallucci
  • Mention of U.N. Security Council, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and North Korean officials