SG/SM/8444
21 October 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL "EXTREMELY CONCERNED" BY REPORTS
OF URANIUM ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME IN DEMOCRATIC
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

NEW YORK, 18 October (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is extremely concerned by the reported existence in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) of a programme to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons, as announced by the United States State Department, following the recent DPRK-United States discussions in Pyongyang. If confirmed, the alleged programme would not be in conformity with the DPRK’s international obligations, including under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It would also be contrary to international efforts to reduce and eliminate weapons of mass destruction.

The Secretary-General welcomes the consultations that have already begun among interested countries -- issues related to weapons of mass destruction must be accorded highest priority.

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