1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano on September 29, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including the North Korean nuclear issue, the Iran nuclear agreement (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)), and ways for the ROK and the IAEA to enhance cooperation.

2. Minister Kang and Director General Amano expressed serious concern over the reckless provocations, including the sixth nuclear test, North Korea is continuing despite repeated warnings from the international community, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the ROK and the IAEA to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

o Minister Kang took note that the IAEA is contributing to mustering the international community’s united voice on the North Korean nuclear problem, citing the resolution on North Korea’s nuclear program containing a strong and firm message to the North, which was adopted by consensus at the IAEA’s 61st General Conference in Vienna last week.

o Director General Amano said that in a bid to strengthen preparedness in verifying North Korea’s nuclear program, the IAEA recently established the DPRK Team within its secretariat. Minister Kang welcomed it, and expected close cooperation between the ROK and the IAEA in monitoring and verifying North Korea’s nuclear facilities.

3. Minister Kang took note of the important role that the IAEA played in concluding and implementing the Iran nuclear agreement, and expressed hope that the IAEA will share with the ROK lessons learned through the conclusion and implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement, considering the implications the agreement has for efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

4. Minister Kang noted that Director General Amano is increasing the IAEA’s contributions to achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) under the motto “atoms for peace and development.” Director General Amano expressed appreciation for the ROK’s leading roles and financial contributions to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the safety of nuclear energy, non-proliferation and nuclear security.

5. The Director General’s visit to the ROK is seen to serve as an opportunity for the two sides to reaffirm their commitment to work together to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, a priority for global nuclear non-proliferation, as well as to further strengthen their cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.


* unofficial translation