Annan voices concern over DPR of Korea’s reported nuclear plans

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, is “extremely concerned” about the reported existence in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of a programme to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons, a UN spokesman said today.

If confirmed, the allegations, announced by the United States State Department, “would not be in conformity with the DPRK's international obligations, including under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),” the spokesman noted in a statement on Mr. Annan’s behalf. The development would also run contrary to international efforts to reduce and eliminate weapons of mass destruction.

Welcoming the consultations that have already begun among interested countries, the statement stressed that “issues related to weapons of mass destruction must be accorded highest priority.”

Washington’s announcement followed recent high-level discussions between US and DPRK officials in Pyongyang.