Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 24, March 1998

North Korean Anger over Framework Agreement

On 6 March, North Korea's Foreign Ministry issued a statement, carried on the official Korean Central News Agency, expressing grave concern at the slow pace of implementation of the October 1994 US-North Korea Framework Agreement mandating the replacement of North Korea's heavy-water nuclear reactors. The Foreign Ministry statement read:

"Nobody can predict what will happen unless the US seeks new practical measures and takes decisive action to implement its obligations... [North Korea can] no longer lend an ear to empty promises of the US, because it does make any sense to victimize our independent nuclear power industry..."

Implementation of the Framework Agreement - expected to cost over $5 billion - is the responsibility of the Korean Peninsular Energy Development Corporation (KEDO), established and led by the US, Japan and South Korea. According to reports, the Foreign Ministry statement expressed frustration both at the slow progress towards beginning construction of the new reactors, and at the failure of the Framework Agreement to lead to the easing of economic sanctions against North Korea.

Report: N. Korea denounces US over nuke deal, Associated Press, 6 March.

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