The European Union has condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) expanding nuclear activities and called for complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation, while also criticising Russia for military cooperation with Pyongyang. In a statement delivered on 9 June 2026 at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, the EU expressed alarm over Russian officials' remarks that the DPRK's denuclearisation is a 'closed issue', calling this inconsistent with NPT obligations and UN Security Council resolutions. The EU also voiced concern over the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' Treaty between the DPRK and Russia, which includes nuclear energy cooperation, and urged Russia to abide by its non-proliferation commitments.
The statement, issued by the EU Delegation to International Organisations in Vienna, was aligned with 13 other countries including Albania, Norway, and Ukraine. It thanks IAEA Director General for his update on the DPRK and reiterates longstanding EU positions: the DPRK must abandon all nuclear weapons, ballistic missile programmes, and other WMD in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner; return to compliance with the NPT and IAEA safeguards; and sign the Additional Protocol. The EU stressed that the DPRK cannot have nuclear weapon state status under the NPT.
Deep concern was expressed over the DPRK's stated intent to increase its nuclear arsenal, confirmed by IAEA monitoring of expanding activities including increased plutonium production and possible preparations for an additional uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon. The EU also noted alleged development of a 'strategic nuclear attack submarine' as deeply troubling. It urged the DPRK to refrain from nuclear tests, stop ballistic missile launches, re-establish moratoria on long-range tests, and sign the CTBT.
The EU resolutely condemned Russia's continuing illegal military cooperation with the DPRK, calling for its immediate cessation as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. It stressed that all UN member states, especially Security Council members, must ensure full implementation of sanctions, which remain in place. The EU called on the DPRK to return to diplomacy with all relevant parties to build sustainable peace and pursue denuclearisation, including allowing IAEA inspectors back into the country.
Stakeholder impacts: The DPRK faces continued diplomatic isolation and pressure to halt its nuclear programme, while Russia risks further reputational damage and potential sanctions enforcement actions. The IAEA's monitoring role is reaffirmed, though its access to DPRK sites remains blocked. The EU positions itself as a key advocate for non-proliferation norms, but the statement carries no new concrete measures beyond diplomatic condemnation.