S/PV.6355 Security Council

The President: The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2010/28l, containing a letter dated 4 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2010/294, containing a letter dated 8 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council. I wish to also draw the attention of Council members to document S/2010/349, containing a letter dated 30 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, as well as to documents S/2010/343 and 8/2010/358, containing, respectively, letters dated 29 June 2010 and 6 July 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council. After consultations among the members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council notes the letter dated 4 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/20lO/281), and the letter dated 8 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the 2 United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/294). "The Security Council deplores the attack on 26 March 2010 which led to the sinking of the Republic of Korea naval ship, the Cheonan, resulting in the tragic loss of 46 lives. "The Security Council determines that such an incident endangers peace and security in the region and beyond. "The Security Council deplores the loss of life and injuries and expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families and to the people and Government of the Republic of Korea, and calls for appropriate and peaceful measures to be taken against those responsible for the incident aimed at the peaceful settlement of the issue in accordance with the United Nations Charter and all relevant provisions of international law. "In view of the findings of the Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group led by the Republic of Korea, with the participation of five nations, which concluded that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was responsible for sinking the Cheonan, the Security Council expresses its deep concern. "The Security Council takes note of the responses from other relevant parties, including from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which has stated that it had nothing to do with the incident. "Therefore, the Security Council condemns the attack that led to the sinking of the Cheonan. "The Security Council underscores the importance of preventing further such attacks or hostilities against the Republic of Korea or in the region. "The Security Council welcomes the restraint shown by the Republic of Korea and stresses the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in North- East Asia as a whole. "The Security Council calls for full adherence to the Korean Armistice Agreement and encourages the settlement of outstanding issues on the Korean peninsula by peaceful 10-44279 means to resume direct dialogue and negotiation through appropriate channels as early as possible, with a View to avoiding conflicts and averting escalation. "The Security Council reaffirms the importance that all Member States uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations." 10-44279 This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2010/13. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 9.50 am.