Verification of Denuclearization

A possible denuclearization of North Korea presents a historic opportunity to eliminate a nuclear weapons program. A viable process is likely to proceed in several phases and depend on verification approaches that are considered adequate and effective by all parties. Even in the best case, however, North Korea will retain an arsenal of nuclear weapons for an extended period of time, possibly for many years or even a decade, which will pose additional unique verification challenges. In particular, North Korea may initially not want to reveal the storage locations of its nuclear warheads, warhead components, and long-range missiles because this could provide a target list for an attack. This talk discusses possible concepts and required technologies that would allow monitoring a residual nuclear arsenal while addressing North Korea’s security concerns and meeting the requirements of effective verification.