U.S.-NORTH KOREAN TALKS DEFUSE NPT CRISIS FOR NOW

In: Arms control today, Band 23, Heft 7, S. 19

Abstract

ON JUNE 11, 1993, NORTH KOREA ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD SUSPEND ITS DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS CONTAINED IN A JOINT U.S.-NORTH KOREAN STATEMENT. BOTH SIDES EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE "IMPARTIAL APPLICATION" OF FULL-SCOPE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) SAFEGUARDS, ALTHOUGH NORTH KOREA DID NOT AGREE TO ACCEPT SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AT TWO SUSPECTED NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE SITES. WITH THE ISSUE OF IAEA SPECIAL INSPECTIONS STILL UNRESOLVED, QUESTIONS REGARDING NORTH KOREA'S TRUE NUCLEAR INTENTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED.