Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is an international treaty created in 1970 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. It divides countries into nuclear weapons state (China, France, Russia, UK, USA), which had nuclear weapons by 1967, and non-nuclear weapons states, some of which have developed nuclear weapons since then. After signing the treaty, non-nuclear states are not allowed to create nuclear weapons. Countries that do have nuclear weapons are required to work towards disarmament and help non-nuclear states create peaceful nuclear technology.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) acceded to the Treaty on the NPT in 1985. In 1993, the DPRK announced its intention to withdraw from the treaty, but subsequently suspended this decision before it took effect. On January 10, 2003, the DPRK declared its withdrawal from the NPT, stating the decision was immediate; however, the international community generally regards the withdrawal as becoming effective on April 10, 2003, following the treaty's required notification period. The treaty allows countries to withdraw if they need nuclear weapons to defend their sovereignty.^[1]^[2]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ “5. Article X(1) of the NPT provides that “Each Party shall in exercising its national
sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the Treaty if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of this Treaty, have jeopardized the supreme interests of its country. It shall give notice of such withdrawal to all other Parties to the Treaty and to the United Nations Security Council three months in advance. Such notice shall include a statement of the extraordinary events it regards as having jeopardized its supreme interests”.

6. In its letter of 10 January 2003, the DPRK asserted that its withdrawal from the NPT would take effect one day later, indicating the DPRK’s view that, having “suspended” its 12 March 1993 notification of withdrawal one day short of the three month period provided for in Article X(1) of the NPT, it needed only one day following its “lifting of that moratorium” for the withdrawal to become effective.”

Director General (2003-01-22). "Report by the Director General on the implementation of the resolution adopted by the Board on 6th January 2003 and of the agreement between the IAEA and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the application of safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" International Atomic Energy Agency. Archived from the original on 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
↑ Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (2003-01-10). "Statement of DPRK Government on its withdrawal from NPT" Korean Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-07-26.

[1] “5. Article X(1) of the NPT provides that “Each Party shall in exercising its national
sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the Treaty if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of this Treaty, have jeopardized the supreme interests of its country. It shall give notice of such withdrawal to all other Parties to the Treaty and to the United Nations Security Council three months in advance. Such notice shall include a statement of the extraordinary events it regards as having jeopardized its supreme interests”.

6. In its letter of 10 January 2003, the DPRK asserted that its withdrawal from the NPT would take effect one day later, indicating the DPRK’s view that, having “suspended” its 12 March 1993 notification of withdrawal one day short of the three month period provided for in Article X(1) of the NPT, it needed only one day following its “lifting of that moratorium” for the withdrawal to become effective.”

Director General (2003-01-22). "Report by the Director General on the implementation of the resolution adopted by the Board on 6th January 2003 and of the agreement between the IAEA and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the application of safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" International Atomic Energy Agency. Archived from the original on 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2025-07-26.

[2] Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (2003-01-10). "Statement of DPRK Government on its withdrawal from NPT" Korean Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-07-26.

[1]

[2]