Japan Mulling Technical Support for N. Korea Denuclearization

July 2, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government is considering sending nuclear engineers to support the denuclearization of North Korea, as well as covering part of the cost of International Atomic Energy Agency inspections of the process, according to officials.

The move reflects the government's eagerness to participate in the North Korean nuclear issue, following a denuclearization accord between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their Singapore summit last month.

"Japan can offer support, such as providing (nuclear) experts," Foreign Minister Taro Kono said in a speech in the western city of Tokushima on Saturday.

Kono is expected to visit the IAEA headquarters in Vienna soon for talks with Director-General Yukiya Amano about possible Japanese support, informed sources said.

The denuclearization process assumed by the United States, Japan and others will call on North Korea to declare from the start that it intends to scrap its entire nuclear program, and on the IAEA to then send an inspection team to verify this, according to the sources.

The international body has already established a team to take charge of the North Korean nuclear issue.

Once North Korea accepts IAEA inspections, the Japanese government will agree to cover initial costs, including cost of equipment, so that the IAEA team can work without hindrance, the officials said.

The government also believes that Japan's expertise in the nuclear field can contribute to the denuclearization process, including the dismantling of nuclear facilities and the removal of nuclear materials, the officials said. Japanese experts are acquiring expertise in the ongoing decommissioning work at Japan Atomic Power Co.'s Tokai nuclear plant in Ibaraki Prefecture.

"In this field, Japan can play a leading role," a senior Foreign Ministry official said.

However, it is uncertain whether North Korea will accept nuclear experts from Japan, as the reclusive country has expressed its frustration with Tokyo, which has called for international pressure to be applied to Pyongyang.

Moreover, there are doubts that North Korea will accept full inspections. Jiji Press