U.S. Pursues NPT Revision to “Stop North Korea from Developing Nuclear Materials”

On March 15, the New York Times reported that U.S. President George W. Bush was pursuing a revision of the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) to stop rogue states such as North Korea and Iran from developing nuclear materials.

President Bush views that there are loopholes in the current NPT system, for even if a nation’s nuclear facilities are subject to IAEA inspections, the treaty cannot prevent a nation from developing nuclear weapons after withdrawing from NPT when it has found ways to enrich uranium or reprocess spent fuel rods, according to the New York Times.

The newspaper added that President Bush would pursue an amendment to the NPT during the NPT Review Conference, which will be held in New York in May.

The New York Times pointed out that the president is stressing in particular that North Korea took advantage of this loophole two years ago and is now able to make weapons by reprocessing multiple spent fuel rods. President Bush is concerned that Iran may follow in North Korea’s footsteps.

The Times reported that President Bush is considering a measure in which nuclear powers supply nuclear materials to nations in need. Such a measure could prevent a nation from secretly developing materials that could be used to make nuclear weapons.

In a statement commemorating the 35th anniversary of the NPT, the Bush administration said, “We must close the loopholes that allow rogue states to produce nuclear materials that can be used to build weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs.”

Jin Lee leej@donga.com