1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in Munich on February 12. In the meeting, the two sides extensively discussed the CTBTO’s assessment of North Korea’s fourth nuclear test and ways to achieve the denuclearization of the country and strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

2. Minister Yun noted with appreciation that on January 6, the day of the North Korean nuclear test, the CTBTO Executive Secretary expressed deep concern over North Korea’s nuclear test and strongly urged the country to become a signatory to the CTBT. With the UN Security Council in discussions on an unprecedentedly strong and effective resolution on North Korea in response to its latest nuclear test, the Minister asked the CTBTO, an organization with the authority to ban nuclear tests and with technical expertise, to send a stern message to North Korea.

° The Minister voiced hope that the CTBTO, using its detections of nuclear tests and analysis made through its international verification system, will contribute to the efforts of the international community, including the UN Security Council, to make firm responses.

3. Executive Secretary Zerbo expressed deep concern over the fact that in the significant year of 2016, which marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the CTBT, North Korea is advancing its nuclear capability by conducting its fourth nuclear test in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions, and posing a head-on challenge to the efforts to bring the CTBT into force.

° The Executive Secretary, calling North Korea’s nuclear test the biggest challenge to the international non-proliferation regime, stated that continued efforts will be made with the international community to impose on North Korea a moratorium on nuclear tests and make the country sign the CTBT.

° The two sides agreed to work closely together in various fields, including commemorative event for the CTBT’s 20th anniversary in 2016, which the CTBTO will hold jointly with the Republic of Korea, an exemplary country in terms of the international non-proliferation regime.


* unofficial translation