International Atomic Energy Agency Refers North Korea's Nuclear Issue to the UN Security Council - 2003-02-12

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN-affiliated organization, decided today to refer the issue of North Korea's nuclear energy to the United Nations Security Council. In a resolution passed today in Vienna, the capital of Austria and the IAEA's headquarters, it was stated that North Korea has not complied with international regulations regarding nuclear safeguards. Russia, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, and Cuba abstained from voting on this resolution. Russia and Cuba argue that referring the issue to the Security Council is a violation of purpose and will provoke North Korea's anger. However, Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director General of the IAEA, stated that there was no alternative but to refer the issue to the Security Council. Pyongyang has stated that any action by the Security Council in the direction of sanctions against the country will be considered an act of war. Late last year, North Korea dismantled surveillance equipment that the IAEA had installed at its largest nuclear power plant and expelled two international inspectors from the country.