UN’s atomic watchdog urges North Korea to let nuclear inspectors back into country

Director General Yukiya Amano says activity has been observed at Yongbyon nuclear facilities, but without access his agency cannot confirm purpose

Kim Jong-Un inspects what is purported to be a nuclear device in September 2017 (STR/AFP/Getty)

The head of the United Nations' atomic watchdog has called on North Korea to allow inspectors back into the country to monitor its nuclear program.

Director General Yukiya Amano noted that Pyongyang had talked about denuclearisation measures in September at a board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency earlier this week.

Measures discussed included the “permanent dismantlement of the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon” - a reactor which produces plutonium.

Mr Amano said there has been activity observed at Yongbyon, but “without access the agency cannot confirm the nature and purpose of these activities”.

At a separate news conference, he said he couldn't elaborate on when exactly the activity was observed.

IAEA inspectors were expelled from North Korea in 2009, but Mr Amano said the agency continues to prepare for their possible readmittance.

“The agency continues to enhance its readiness to play an essential role in verifying (North Korea's) nuclear program if a political agreement is reached among countries concerned,” he said. “I again call upon (North Korea) to comply fully with its obligations under relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and of the IAEA board, to cooperate promptly with the agency and to resolve all outstanding issues.”

On the other hand, Mr Amano told board members that Iran continues to abide by the deal reached in 2015 with major world powers that aimed at preventing Tehran from building atomic weapons in exchange for economic incentives.

He reiterated the agency's findings in a report distributed to member states earlier this month that “Iran is implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action”.

The issue has grown more complicated since the US withdrew unilaterally in May from the deal and then reimposed sanctions. Iran's economy has been struggling ever since and its currency has plummeted in value.

The other signatories to the deal - Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China - are continuing to try to make it work.

Mr Amano stressed that “it is essential that Iran continues to fully implement” its commitments.

In its full report, the IAEA said its inspectors continue to have access to all sites in Iran that it needs to visit and that inspectors confirmed Iran has kept within limits of heavy water and low-enriched uranium stockpiles.

“The agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its safeguards agreement,” Mr Amano said. “Evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran continue.”

Associated Press