EU to Express Concerns Over North Korea's Nuclear and Missile Issues at Next Month's NPT Meeting

North Korean missile
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The European Union (EU) is expected to voice concerns over North Korea's nuclear and missile development activities at the 10th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), scheduled for the 1st of next month.

An EU spokesperson stated on the 29th (local time) in response to a related question from Voice of America (VOA), "At this conference, we will express concern over North Korea's actions to develop illegal nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs."

The NPT Review Conference is held every five years in New York and focuses on the three pillars of the NPT: nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The 10th conference was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed repeatedly due to COVID-19, and this time it has been confirmed to be held in person.

The EU spokesperson further announced, "We will urge North Korea to halt missile tests and take concrete measures to completely, verifiably, and irreversibly dismantle its weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles, and related programs in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions."

Regarding North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's threats toward South Korea and the United States at the 69th anniversary event of the Armistice Agreement on the 27th, the spokesperson urged, "Refrain from actions that cause instability and respond constructively to the United States and South Korea, who remain open to dialogue."

This conference is drawing even more attention as it is being held amid assessments that North Korea is prepared to conduct a nuclear test at Tunnel No. 3 of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, at any time.

The conference will be attended by representatives from the South Korean government, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and others.