Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari, who reported to the Council on Monday afternoon, reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s strong condemnation of the launch and called for his action to reduce tensions on the ground. Korean Peninsula.
“The Secretary-General deeply regrets the division that has prevented the international community from taking action against the DPRK, as well as other threats to peace and security around the world.” He speak. “The Korean peninsula must be a zone of cooperation.”
Comply with obligations
The Council meeting was held after North Korea announced that it had fired a long-range ballistic missile on Saturday that flew nearly 990 kilometers and landed in the Sea of Japan.
This was followed on Monday by what Pyongyang called a launch exercise involving two “tactical nuclear” missiles.
“Secretary-General reiterates his call to the DPRK immediately stop making any further provocationsfully comply with its international obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions and resume dialogue leading to sustainable peace and complete and verifiable denuclearization on the Peninsula North Korea,” Khiari said.
Nuclear pursuit continues
He noted that the DPRK has clearly stated its intention to continue pursuing its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs in violation of Council resolutions.
The country continues to implement a five-year military plan, announced in January 2021, that stipulates the development of new intercontinental ballistic missiles, among other weapons.
North Korea has also repeatedly warned of a so-called “reaction” to military exercises being conducted in the region and described last week’s Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation. is a “hostile act to which the DPRK must respond appropriately”. more.
The role of the Security Council
“Today’s meeting reaffirms that the Security Council has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security,” Khiari said.
“The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss practical measures to achieve a peaceful, comprehensive, diplomatic and political solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.”
He reiterated that North Korea had “significantly increased” its missile launch activities last year, 70 of which used ballistic missile technology.
The launches are described as involving systems with a nuclear weapons role. Most of the systems tested were capable of hitting targets on the Korean Peninsula and some were capable of reaching parts of North America.
Target without nuclear weapons
North Korea also passed a new law in September that sets out conditions for the country to use nuclear weapons, including preemptive strikes under certain circumstances.
“A seventh nuclear test would blatantly violate Security Council resolutions and undermine international norms against nuclear testing. The Secretary-General remains unwaveringly committed to achieving the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons,” he said.
Khiari told the Council that the situation on the Korean Peninsula continues to go wrong, amid growing tensions due to a “negative action-reaction cycle, showing no sign of deviating”.
Reduce stress, avoid escalation
He outlines three steps to reducing stress.
“First, the DPRK needs to take immediate steps to resumption of dialogue leading to lasting peace and complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula; this includes North Korea’s refrain from conducting further launches using ballistic missile technology or nuclear tests,” he said.
Welcoming the Council’s commitment to a peaceful, comprehensive, diplomatic and peaceful solution, he said the second step emphasized that diplomacy, not isolation, is the only way forward.
“The most important is avoid unintended escalation,” said Mr Khiari, introducing his third step. “Communication channels must be strengthened, especially between the army and the army. Avoiding confrontational rhetoric will help reduce political tensions and create space to explore diplomatic avenues.”
humanitarian concern
Before concluding, Mr. Khiari once again highlighted the United Nations’ concerns about the humanitarian situation in North Korea.
“The United Nations stands ready to assist the DPRK in addressing other medical and humanitarian needs,” he told Council members. “To enable a prompt and effective response, we reiterate our call to unimpeded entry of international staffincluding Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Supplies.”
