Canada delivered a joint statement on behalf of the DPRK Core Group—comprising Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States—during the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna on November 19, 2025. The statement addressed ongoing concerns regarding North Korea's nuclear program.
The group acknowledged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team’s work analyzing developments related to North Korea’s nuclear activities. "The Secretariat’s impartial and technical efforts remain essential to informing the Board and the broader international community," said Canada.
The statement cited updates from IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi regarding continued operations at North Korea's Yongbyon reactors and recent plutonium reprocessing activities. It also mentioned further expansion of undeclared uranium enrichment at both Yongbyon and Kangson. According to the Core Group, these actions violate United Nations Security Council Resolutions and undermine global non-proliferation efforts.
"At this critical juncture, it is imperative that the Board remain seized of DPRK’s nuclear program and lend unequivocal support to the Agency’s vital technical role," said Canada on behalf of the group. The Core Group reiterated its commitment to achieving complete denuclearization of North Korea in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
Since 1994, an annual resolution has been adopted by consensus at the IAEA General Conference concerning safeguards agreements between the agency and North Korea. The Core Group expressed disappointment over Russia’s decision to break this consensus by forcing a vote on this year’s resolution: "This decision politicizes our work and reflects a worrying disregard for the credibility of the IAEA safeguards system." They also noted regret over five delegations voting against it.
Despite these developments, broad cross-regional support for maintaining safeguards was highlighted as evidence of widespread recognition among member states regarding their importance. The Core Group affirmed its readiness to collaborate with other delegations ahead of next year’s conference to reinforce these commitments.
"Thank you," concluded Canada in delivering the joint statement.