1. Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ham Sang wook held the 10th High Level Policy Consultation between the Republic of Korea(ROK) and the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) together with Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards of the IAEA Massimo Aparo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon on November 12, 2021.

o The ROK-IAEA High Level Policy Consultation is a strategic communication channel between the ROK and the IAEA that has been held on an annual basis since 2013. Both sides have used the consultation as a venue for discussing current IAEA safeguard issues and ways to enhance mutual cooperation.

2. During the consultation, both sides discussed cooperation in strengthening the IAEA’s readiness to verify North Korea’s nuclear program, and exchanged views on key developments and future priorities for IAEA safeguards including the IAEA’s safeguards in Iran and the implementation of IAEA safeguards in Korea.

3. Deputy Minister Ham explained that the ROK, as the chair country, would handle the current issues of the IAEA in a transparent and impartial way while preparing for the IAEA Board of Governors’ meeting scheduled from November 22 to 26. These issues include strengthening safeguards including the verification of nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran, expanding technical cooperation for supporting member states, and improving the international cooperative framework for nuclear safety and security. Deputy Minister asked the IAEA’s cooperation on the ROK’s chairmanship.

o Deputy Director General Aparo noted that the IAEA maintained its enhanced readiness to play an essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear program, and that the IAEA’s safeguards measures have been implemented smoothly to ensure peaceful nuclear activities in the ROK even during the COVID-19 situation.

4. Deputy Minister Ham emphasized the importance of objective and transparent review of the Japanese government’s disposal of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and reiterated that the IAEA should continue to play an active role in addressing this issue.

5. Both sides agreed that the consultation served as a good opportunity for enhancing understanding and strengthening cooperation on the current safeguards issues.