Pope concerned over North Korea nuclear capability

The Vatican has expressed Pope Francis’ concerns over North Korea's nuclear testing to Vienna’s International Atomic Energy Agency, reports Crux.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said yesterday he could confirm that, considering the “delicate situation on the Korean Peninsula,” the Vatican’s Undersecretary for Relations with States, Msgr Antoine Camilleri, had reiterated in Vienna “the concern of the Holy Father and the Holy See about the continuing tensions in the area on account of the nuclear tests carried out by North Korea.”

Last Tuesday, the State-run Korean Central News Agency had reported that North Korea had successfully conducted a ground test of a new type of high-powered rocket engine.

Msgr Camillieri was speaking as the Vatican representative in the 60th General Assembly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), taking place in Vienna from September 26-30.

“We view the situation in the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] with grave concern,” Msgr Camilleri said.

“The Holy See supports continued efforts by the international community to revive negotiations over denuclearisation and to enable the IAEA to resume its critical role in nuclear verification there.”

The Vatican representative also said the Church welcomes the IAEA’s participation in the “verification and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” adding that the Holy See sees this agreement positively.