Senior United Nations official called for strict compliance with sanctions against North Korea
Ms. Nakamitsu noted that in recent months there have been allegations of transfers of ballistic missiles and munitions from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (commonly known as North Korea) to Russia, in violation of Council resolutions, allegedly for use in Moscow’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
“UN Security Council Sanctions regimes are at the forefront of collective international efforts to maintain international peace and security and prevent illegal arms transfers,” she said. speak.
“I recall that the relevant Security Council resolutions were legally binding on all United Nations member states“ .
Sanctions Committee
Ms. Nakamitsu also referred to the final report of Expert panel supported Committee monitor sanctions imposed by the Security Council Resolution 1718.
The report states that “the Panel is investigating reports from member states regarding the supply of [DPRK] of conventional arms and ammunition in violation of sanctions.”
She said that before the expiration of its mandate, the Panel was considering a report by the Government in Kiev on missile fragments recovered in Ukraine, following information about short-range ballistic missiles being produced. in North Korea and used by Russian forces.
In spite of The mandate of the Expert Panel has expired. On April 30, the 1718 Committee resumed its work and will monitor the implementation of the sanctions regime.
Countries must act responsibly
Ms. Nakamitsu said import, transit, production and export are “must act responsibly at every step” along the arms and ammunition transfer chain to prevent diversion, illegal trafficking and misuse.
“All transfers of arms and ammunition must comply with the applicable international legal framework, including relevant Security Council resolutions and the sanctions regimes they establish,” she said. create”.
“As the Secretary-General has stated, any relationship that any country has with [DPRK]include [Russia]must fully comply with the relevant sanctions of the Security Council,” she recalled.
North Korea’s nuclear program
In her summary, Ms. Nakamitsu noted that North Korea continues its nuclear weapons program and development of launch vehicles, having “significantly increased” the number of ballistic missile launches in recent years. .
Since 2022, the DPRK has conducted more than 100 ballistic missile launches, including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles and rockets using ballistic missile technology.
Ms. Nakamitsu said these violate a number of Security Council resolutions.
She also referred to a report from the nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)), the release of warm water from the cooling system of the Yongbyon Light Water Reactor is a sign that the reactor has reached criticality.
“The IAEA also observed indications of ongoing activity at the centrifuge enrichment facility at Yongbyon and the expansion of another facility at the Kangson Complex,” she said.
Additionally, although there have been no recent signs of changes at the Nuclear Test Site in Punggye-ri, the site remains occupied.
Overview of the Security Council meeting on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Malicious network activities
Ms. Nakamitsu also expressed concern about reports of malicious cyber activities conducted by actors linked to Pyongyang, noting that malicious activity continues through the targeting of cryptocurrency-related companies.
Other trends observed include supply chain targeting.
She stressed that such reported actions were not consistent with the General Assembly framework on responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies (ICT).
On the contrary, such actions endanger international peace and security and undermine trust and stability between nations, she said.
Diplomacy, the only path to peace
Finally, Ms. Nakamitsu reiterated her call for North Korea to fully comply with its international obligations and called on all countries to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
“Diplomatic engagement remains the only path to sustainable peace and complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula”, she said, urging the resumption of talks and fostering an environment conducive to dialogue.
