Year
2006
Abstract
For denuclearization of the DPRK, verification and dismantlement of the DPRK nuclear programs is the most critical element if an agreement can be reached between the US and the DPRK. Objectives of verification and dismantlement of the DPRK nuclear programs are disposition of currently existing nuclear material, nuclear weapons, relevant facilities, nuclear workers and documents, and discontinuation of future clandestine production of those things. Items that should be verified and dismantled are facilities related with production of plutonium, highly enriched uranium (HEU), and nuclear weapons; spent fuels containing plutonium and radioactive waste; produced plutonium, HEU, and nuclear weapons; and relevant nuclear workers and documents. Verification of the DPRK nuclear programs takes long time and high cost because of its difficulty to find out relevant clandestine facilities and produced items and large cost of swipe sampling. Considering huge decommissioning cost of graphite reactor, reprocessing facility and disposal of high level liquid radioactive wastes, dismantling of the DPRK nuclear programs would cost likely more than billion USD. This study analyses verification and dismantlement issues in the DPRK nuclear programs.