S/PV.7958 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Republic of Korea to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2017/472, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2356 (2017). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the vote.

The Security Council is sending a clear message to North Korea today — stop firing ballistic missiles or face the consequences. The members of the Council — including three of North Korea’s closest neighbours — agree that North Korea’s missiles are a threat to international peace and security and that the international community must respond to the threat. It is long past time for North Korea to see the writing on the wall. The international community is coming together to take action, and the pressure will not cease until North Korea complies fully with the Council’s resolutions. North Korea’s provocative and illegal missile launches are a direct threat to the security of numerous countries, including my own. Missiles have already fallen perilously close to South Korea, Japan and, most recently, Russia. Each North Korean rocket has the potential to hit an airplane or ship, which threatens civilian lives. Each test ratchets up tensions in the region. But despite all the risks and the sanctions that the Council has imposed so far, North Korea still chooses to keep escalating. The reason that North Korea keeps launching these missiles is obvious. It openly says that it wants the ability to deliver its weapons of mass destruction over long distances to United States, South Korean, and Japanese cities. That is why the regime’s ballistic missile tests are increasing. With each launch, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea gains valuable technical data to make even more progress, but, bit by bit, it wants to extend its reach. The Security Council has rightfully and repeatedly condemned the launches and required the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to suspend all activities related to its ballistic-missile programme. Foreign Ministers gathered here one month ago (see S/PV.7932) to demand that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea stop. Resolution 2356 (2017) shows that those were not just words. The United States will work tirelessly to make sure that the international community never gets used to violations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or looks the other way. And the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must understand that the international community will never accept the regime’s development and testing of nuclear weapons. Until the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea reconsiders, all States Members of the United Nations must do their part to increase pressure. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a global threat that requires a global response. There is still a lot of room to improve the implementation of the Security Council’s sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. That is why the United States renews its call on responsible States to sever diplomatic ties and cease illegal trade with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Countries must also do more to break up the smuggling rings of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and cut off the sources of funding that it uses to pay for the development of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. The United States will continue to seek a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the situation. We want a negotiated solution, but the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must fulfil its basic obligations by first stopping all ballistic missile launches and nuclear weapons testing and taking concrete steps towards getting rid of its nuclear-weapons programme. Our goal is not regime change. The United States has no wish to threaten the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or destabilize the Asia-Pacific region. And we have never closed the door to dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. But as we have said before, all options for responding to future provocations must remain on the table. Beyond diplomatic and financial consequences, the United States remains prepared to counteract the aggression of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea through other means, if necessary. The United States is fully committed to defending itself and its allies against aggression by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Once again, it is up to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to decide whether to stay on this dangerous path. As the Security Council showed today, future missile launches and nuclear tests are absolutely unacceptable. We hope that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sees that response and chooses a more constructive path towards stability, security and peace.

Relevant Security Council resolutions include explicit provisions against any launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea using ballistic missile technology. China is opposed to the launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Resolution 2356 (2017), adopted by the Council today, has demonstrated the united position of the international community against the development of nuclear and missile programmes by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. At the same time, the resolution reiterates the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in North-East Asia at large, expresses a commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation and stresses the importance of reducing tension on the peninsula by the parties concerned. China calls on all parties to fully and comprehensively implement Security Council resolutions related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and strive for a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue on the peninsula via redoubled efforts to promote non-proliferation, peace and dialogue. The current situation on the peninsula is complex and sensitive. At the same time, there is a critical window of opportunity for a return to the right track of seeking a settlement to the nuclear issue on the peninsula through dialogue and negotiation. It is incumbent upon all parties concerned to exercise restraint and do more to help ease the tension and build mutual trust, rather than to the contrary. As a close neighbour of the Korean peninsula, China has always insisted on denuclearizing the peninsula, maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and seeking a solution through dialogue and negotiations. China has always been firmly opposed to chaos and conflict on the peninsula. Based on developments on the peninsula, China has proposed the dual-track approach of promoting parallel progress in denuclearization efforts and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula. China has also put forward the suspension-for-suspension proposal, which would allow for the suspension of nuclear missile activities by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the suspension of massive military exercises by the United States and the Republic of Korea. Those proposals are pragmatic and feasible. We hope they will be seriously considered and will receive a constructive response by the parties concerned. For its part, China is open to helpful proposals by all parties. We hope that all parties concerned will work with China to keep pushing for dialogue and negotiations in order to seek a solution to the problems on the Korean peninsula within the framework of the Six-Party Talks and continue to work actively and constructively towards to goal of early denuclearization and lasting peace and security on the Korean peninsula.

Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2356 (2017). We would like to express our appreciation to the United States for taking the lead. Our appreciation also goes to all the other members of the Security Council for their support. For three consecutive weeks, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has launched ballistic missiles in blatant violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. That is totally unacceptable. Japan strongly condemns the most recent launch as well as previous launches, which were conducted eight times this year alone. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has obstinately continued its nuclear build-up, while completely ignoring the will of the international community. Those continued provocations trample upon international efforts towards a peaceful resolution of nuclear and missile issues and constitute a direct challenge and threat to the security of Japan, the region and beyond. The international community must not let the defiance of Security Council resolutions go unanswered. Today’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2356 (2017) sends a very strong signal that ballistic-missile launches have consequences. On countless occasions, we have made it clear that we are always ready to resume dialogue if the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were to show sincere commitment and make concrete steps towards denuclearization. The current pattern of frequent and alarmingly provocative ballistic-missile launches indicate that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is nowhere near resuming a meaningful dialogue. That leaves us no choice but to continue to increase pressure on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It is time for all States Members of the United Nations to demonstrate a renewed commitment to rigorously and thoroughly implementing the existing Security Council resolutions, including the one we just adopted today, so that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea understands that it must change its current policy. In addition, resolution 2356 (2017) is not the end of our efforts. We must continue to exert pressure on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea until it shows sincere commitment and concrete steps towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Japan will continue to work very closely with Council members and all other Member States to reach a comprehensive resolution to the problems related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Italy welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2356 (2017). The Security Council has today sent another message of unity and determination against the repeated provocation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. We thank the United States and China for moving the resolution forward in a constructive spirit of active collaboration with all the relevant parties and actors, which remains crucial to the overall efforts to bring peace and stability to the Korean peninsula. Italy reaffirms its strong condemnation of North Korea’s recent missile- and nuclear-related activities. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must end its blatant disregard for its international obligations and take immediate steps to abandom its defiant and self- isolating policies. It can do that by first committing to completely ceasing its missile and nuclear programmes in a verifiable and irreversible manner. As Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), we continue to work tirelessly with other members in order to ensure the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions, including the resolution that the Council has just adopted, by the entire membership. A rigorous and effective sanctions regime is essential in order to make the leadership of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea calculate the price of its defiance of the Council and of the international community as a whole. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that Italy believes that sanctions must remain a tool used to further a wider strategy aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. Sanctions regimes are not an end in themselves. We must avoid negative consequences for the civilian population and a humanitarian situation in the country. The ultimate objective is to produce a change of behaviour by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which might frame a parth towards the achievement of a peaceful and comprehensive solution for the Korean peninsula and the region as a whole.

Russia supported today’s adoption of the new resolution 2356 (2017), concerning sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The resolution we have just adopted demands that Pyongyang stop its inappropriate behaviour and submit to the legitimate demands of the international community. Missile launches, especially those carried out without warning, are unacceptable. They are not only a threat to transport security in the region, but also to the lives of people. At the same time, we would like to draw attention to some controversial points of the resolution that we have just adopted. Of course, Pyongyang is violating the sanctions imposed on it. However, it does not supply components of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to non-State actors. There is no direct connection between the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and the actions of the authorities in Pyongyang. The practice of mentioning it in the context of sanctions must be stopped. It is counterproductive, especially for resolution 1540 (2004) itself. Russia has repeatedly stated that resolution 1540 (2004) primarily serves as a platform for cooperation among States in order to prevent materials for weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of non-State actors. Without cooperation, it is impossible to achieve that goal at the global level. Attempts to drag the resolution into enforcement mechanisms will not work, especially in national jurisdictions. Supporters of maintaining the reference to resolution 1540 (2004) should understand that by doing so they undermine the inherent spirit of cooperation and interaction. In addition, countries that are already wary of this non-proliferation document are given an additional argument in favour of non-compliance. We also have serious doubts about the mention in the text of some other WMD programmes. The presence of that passage requires convincing evidence. The Security Council has no right to make mistakes and must operate with real facts, not with assumptions. We remember how the United States initiated a war against Iraq under the false pretext of the presence of WMDs in Baghdad. At the moment, there is no evidence that Pyongyang is developing chemical- or biological-weapons programmes. If any colleagues have relevant, convincing evidence about Pyongyang’s guilt on the matter, then we stand ready to look at it. The facts that we have at our disposal say the following. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a member of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and no claims against it have been made under the Convention. We also know that Pyongyang, while not a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, nevertheless actively encouraged Malaysia to involve the expertise of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the investigation of the murder of Kim Jong-nam, the final results of which have not yet been made public. We would like to hear explanations from the United States regarding the broadening of American sanctions, announced on 1 June, against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It concerned three Russian companies and one Russian citizen. The step is perplexing and deeply disappointing. We have repeatedly said that the mechanism of unilateral restriction is illegal from the point of view of international law. Practice shows the ineffectiveness of such measures and the destructiveness of the approach. The sledgeshammer of sanctions gets used as a universal method for solving world problems, instead of diplomatic tools. That fully applies to the recent decision of Washington, which does not contribute to the settlement of the situation around the Korean peninsula. It is necessary to note that, after the change of Administration in the United States, sanctions by inertia remain a constant in American policy. That includes attempts to apply those sanctions to Russian organizations and citizens. Instead of starting to sort through the backlog that has accumulated in bilateral relations, Washington is doing the direct opposite, taking unfriendly steps that only complicate the normalization of our dialogue and cooperation in international affairs. Pyongyang’s reckless endeavours should not give rise to an increase in military activity in the region and, even more so, the implementation of plans to use force. Confrontational logic is fraught with catastrophic consequences for both the Korean peninsula and the region as a whole. To us, it is absolutely clear that the choice should be made in favour of maximizing the use of diplomatic tools. In that context, Chinese proposals on the two- pronged freeze to North Korea’s nuclear missile programmes and the United States-South Korean exercises, while advancing the solutions to the problems that the peninsula is facing, deserve serious attention. We are ready to promote international efforts and in particular those of the United Nations aimed at a diplomatic detente on the Korean peninsula. We welcome the Secretary-General’s intention to raise the profile of the United Nations in resolving the tension around the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In order to find a formula for normalizing the situation, we ought not forget that sanctions against North Korea should not lead to a strangulation of its 25 million ordinary citizens, the vast majority of whom need urgent assistance. In that regard, we are convinced that, when it comes to humanitarian efforts, the United Nations must fulfill its duty. Dehumanizing the decisions and actions regarding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and other situations of crisis is unacceptable, regardless of how difficult those situations are. The reason for the tension on the peninsula is not just Pyongyang’s nuclear missile programme. It also has to do with increased military activity by some regional and especially extra-regional States in North-East Asia. Another destabilizing factor is the recent deployment of components of the United States THAAD missile defence system on the territory of the Republic of Korea. We have repeatedly stated that such a move undermines the existing military balance in the region. It puts the security of neighbouring countries in a precarious position. Once again, we call on both the United States and the Republic of Korea to reconsider the expediency of such a step and think about its long-term consequences. We encourage others in the region to not be tempted to get involved in such destabilizing efforts. It is now more important than ever to find a political solution. Some of our partners say that they are ready to renew contacts with Pyongyang, but under certain conditions. If we speak to one another in the language of ultimatums we will never move forward. The situation on the Korean peninsula and other acute contemporary crises require that we start working together as quickly as possible. Russia stands ready to start that kind of work.

The United Kingdom welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2356 (2017) today. Through the resolution and our unity, we have sent a clear message to the regime of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea — faced with a sustained pattern of reckless, belligerent behaviour from Pyongyang, we, the Security Council, will act. Repeated missile launches threaten our allies and partners in the Republic of Korea, Japan and the wider region. With each and every launch and missile test, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea demonstrates a total disregard for international security. They put their destructive ambitions above the welfare of their own people. This pattern simply cannot continue. Multiple missiles have been fired this year alone. The regime’s actions and rhetoric shows clear intent to pursue its illegal weapons programme. We need to show that there are consequences and that the whole international community stands in support of the Council in tackling this threat. So, for the third time in 18 months, the Council has had no choice but to take decisive action. Through this resolution under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, we will restrict the ability of key individuals and entities from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to assist or finance illegal weapons programmes — building on the analysis and recommendations from the United Nations Panel of Experts. We will blunt their ability to generate the revenue needed to prop up the regime’s illegal nuclear- and ballistic-missile programmes. Our signal is clear: we will not tolerate nor be distracted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s wide range of cover activities that prop up their illegal programmes. The resolutions adopted by the Council impose wide-ranging sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and they have bite. Through them, tangible pressure is being brought to bear on a regime that has acted with impunity for far too long. Let me be clear, it is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that has a clear choice to make on the way forward: either continue its destabilizing, dangerous actions or change its behaviour and begin to build a future for its people. Together, we, the international community, must be steadfast when enforcing these new sanctions, as well as all previous measures adopted by the Council. All Member States must do their part to fully implement the sanctions. We have a collective commitment to address the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s behaviour. We must show our collective resolve to bring an end to those destabilizing, illegal actions.

Ukraine voted in favour of resolution 2356 (2017), which designates additional North Korean individuals and entities for inclusion into the relevant control lists, in response to the recent provocative ballistic-missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We welcome the efforts of the delegations involved in drafting the text. At the same time, in the context of its almost weekly missile launches and rapid progress in the North Korean missile programme, Pyongyang continues its aggressive rhetoric and steadily evolving tricks to evade existing prohibitions and restrictions. We must admit that the current sanctions regime needs to be strengthened. We are all aware that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to acquire technologies, materials, equipment and financial resources for the further development of its nuclear and missile programmes. Every single launch or test makes it increasingly difficult for the Security Council and the international community at large to put an end to that sinister process. We share the need to address the North Korean nuclear threat collectively and decisively. We must not allow Pyongyang to continue destabilizing the situation and discrediting the role of the Council in the light of global non-proliferation efforts. Only robust steps taken by the Council can stop the systematic and flagrant violations of international law and move us closer to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We call upon the Council’s members to stay united in further tackling the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea issue to ensure the full compliance of Pyongyang with the Council’s decisions and demands. Only a consolidated and firm stance will bear fruit and bring about positive change in the current tense situation in the region. I had hoped to conclude my statement on that optimistic note. Unfortunately, the statement of the Russian delegation a few minutes ago added some doubts that now make it difficult to do so.

We welcome the adoption of resolution 2356 (2017), on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The position of Kazakhstan remains stable and consistent. We condemn, in the strongest terms, any launches of ballistic missiles, as they are in flagrant violation of all the relevant Security Council resolutions. Such actions undermine our common international efforts to strengthen regional and, ultimately, international peace and security. The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a key element in preserving broader security across Asia. Possession of nuclear arms by the North Korean regime will create a precedent that will undoubtedly lead to an escalation of the regional arms race and may lead others to further proliferation so as to balance the nuclear threat of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to refrain from actions that have an impact on the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation process and pose a threat to both regional and global security. My country’s non-nuclear status is the most convincing example that such an approach is the only promising one. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to opt for the same. We are convinced that there is no alternative to collective commitment to international obligations under Security Council resolutions. We would recall that Kazakhstan’s principled position is a firm condemnation of the use of weapons of mass destruction by any party and the promotion of conflict resolution through dialgogue. We call upon the interested parties and all Member States to take balanced and responsible actions that do not lead to irreversible consequences. We also call on all the parties concerned to refrain from any action that could increase the risk of a military escalation and further tensions in the region. My country strongly believes that, at this critical stage, the Security Council — the single body entrusted to maintain international peace and security — should stay united on this important issue.

I thank the United States for putting forward resolution 2356 (2017). France welcomes its unanimous adoption. For years, North Korea has been insistently pushing the development of its nuclear and ballistic programmes at the highest levels of the regime. It has been methodically trying to acquire an operational nuclear arsenal at the sacrifice of its own population. Let us be clear: each ballistic launche brings the North Korean regime closer to developing precise and diversified operational military nuclear capabilities. That is progressing at an alarming and ever-increasing rate. At the same time, North Korea possesses other weapons of mass destruction — chemical and biological — a danger that must not be underestimated. The current situation is greately fuelling tensions on the Korean peninsula. Every country could be within range of North Korean missiles one day. It is therefore a security threat for all countries. Moreover, it is the entire non-proliferation regime — which underpins our security framework — that is in danger. Despite our repeated warnings, North Korea has flouted every one of the Council’s resolutions and has defied the entire international community. Given the severity and urgency of the threat — one of the most acute threats to international peace and security — there was an urgent need for the Council to express its concern and reaffirm its authority. France therefore welcomes the unanimous adoption of the resolution proposed by the United States, which makes it possible to reaffirm an unambiguous triple message of unity, firmness and commitment on the part of the Security Council. By this resolution, the Council condemns North Korea’s unjustifiable actions and punishes individuals and entities that are central to the operations of the regime and its programmes, in particular the ballistic-missile programme, and their financing. The resolution is a determined response as well as a fresh warning. North Korea’s dangerous and irresponsible headlong rush must come to a stop. North Korea must become aware that, if it insists on choosing escalation and provocation, then we will have no other choice but to increase pressure with total determination. France has said that sanctions are not an end unto themselves, but when we are faced with the irresponsible, unjustifiable obduracy of the North Korean regime, there is no other solution today than to stand firm and convince it to return to the negotiating table. The present situation is the exact opposite of a context of dialogue. It is therefore up to North Korea to sincerely demonstrate through concrete and good faith gestures that it is ready to invest in a negotiated solution and contribute to the easing of tensions in the Korean peninsula. Our objective must remain the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Like others, we welcome the unanimous adoption of today’s Security Council resolution 2356 (2017). The Council’s action comes in response to the intensified pattern of provocations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and demonstrates, once again, the unity and resolve of the Council on this issue. Sweden condemns in the strongest terms the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s repeated launches of ballistic missiles. Such actions are in blatant violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. We stand with the neighbouring countries and their peoples, who are living under the constant shadow of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s threatening behaviour. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to show blatant disregard for its international obligations. The implementation of all the relevant resolutions, including the one just adopted, is crucial. We call on all States Members of the United Nations to meet their obligations in that regard. Finally, sanctions alone will not solve the situation on the Korean peninsula. Intensified and creative diplomatic efforts are needed to avoid misunderstandings and further escalation and to begin to prepare for a peaceful, diplomatic and comprehensive solution for the peninsula and the wider region. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to re-engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community.

Uruguay wishes to take this opportunity to reiterate its concern about repeated missile launches by North Korea and the increased tensions on the Korean peninsula. Such actions constitute a serious threat to international peace and security and are a clear violation of Security Council resolutions. Uruguay voted in favour of resolution 2356 (2017) because it believes that sanctions are a tool that the Security Council can use in order to perform its functions. However, sanctions are not an end unto themselves; rather, they are a tool for achieving a political goal, in this case the denuclearization of North Korea. In the same way, the commitment and firm determination of Member States to complying with their obligations and ensuring the correct and effective implementation of sanctions is needed, while avoiding adverse humanitarian consequences on the population of North Korea. Uruguay stresses the need to work towards defusing tensions on the Korean peninsula and beyond. North Korea must respect all Security Council resolutions and desist from its nuclear ambitions. That would help to create a peaceful environment and a return to the path of dialogue, with the ultimate objective of achieving denuclearization. From the Security Council, Uruguay will continue to fight along with the other 14 members to develop new lines of action and try new approaches to, or modalities of, negotiation in order to unlock this situation. Uruguay reaffirms its commitment to achieving a peaceful, political and diplomatic solution for denuclearizing the Korean peninsula — one that will sweep away the risk of a conflict of undesirable and unpredictable proportions.

At the outset, allow me to express our full appreciation to the delegations of the United States and China for preparing and presenting resolution 2356 (2017), which was just adopted by the Security Council (resolution 2356 (2017)). The unanimous adoption of resolution 2356 (2017) sends a clear message by all members of the Council and the international community that they oppose the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s recent violations of its commitments in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, especially resolutions 2321 (2016) and 2270 (2016). Egypt calls upon all parties to make further diplomatic efforts to create a political path towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and to safeguard the international non-proliferation regime. Egypt stands ready to support any international effort and any initiative to peacefully settle the chronic Korean crisis. We reaffirm the importance of avoiding the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In conclusion, we reaffirm the pivotal role of the Security Council and the need to speak with one voice. The international community must continue its positive interaction and collaboration with the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) and its Panel of Experts in order to implement all the relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Senegalese delegation voted in favour of resolution 2356 (2017), which strengthens the sanctions regime on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in accordance with my country’s commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons, but also to express Senegal’s position in favour of a denuclearized Korean peninsula. North Korea’s launches of ballistic missiles, which my country has strongly condemned every time, attest to the country’s determination to continue its nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes. The previous sanctions have not stopped North Korea from gradually upgrading its nuclear capabilities and ballistic missiles. It continues to flagrantly violate the Council’s resolutions and repeated requests to discharge its international obligations in this area in a clear, irreversible and verifiable manner. The actions of North Korea are therefore not only a threat to the people inhabiting the peninsula and the region, but they also seriously undermine the non-proliferation regime with the goal of developing nuclear-weapon delivery systems, which greatly exacerbates tensions in the region and beyond. I take this opportunity to reaffirm Senegal’s support for rigorous compliance with the relevant Council resolutions and to reiterate our hope for a swift resumption of dialogue in order to reach a comprehensive, peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the crisis.

I would like to start by welcoming the unanimous adoption of resolution 2356 (2017), which once again sends a strong and unified message of the Security Council in response to the repeated ballistic missile tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The situation in the Korean peninsula has indeed been a source of great concern. The ballistic missile-related activities by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in violation of Security Council resolutions, seriously endanger regional and international peace and security. Today’s resolution once again reaffirms the Council’s unequivocal position calling on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and immediately to cease all related activities. In our view, this is in the interests of everyone — the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s neighbours, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea itself, the Korean Peninsula as a whole and the international community. There is a window of opportunity, as China has said. We want to see a peaceful resolution of this problem. Without a doubt, a further escalation of the situation on the Korean Peninsula will have devastating consequences for regional and international peace and security. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should not be surprised to see people worried. It is therefore very critical that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea return to its international commitments on de-nuclearization and fully comply with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council in order to reduce the increased tension in the region. The full implementation of the Security Council resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including the resolution that we just adopted today, has become all the more vital in the light of the prevailing situation. For our part, we remain committed to carrying out our obligations. Finally, the need to find a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to this issue has never been more urgent. We support all efforts in the search for a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialouge, as reiterated by the resolution we adopted today.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Bolivia emphatically condemns the launching of ballistic missiles and the conducting of nuclear tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We call on the country to completely, verifiably and irreversibly abandon its nuclear programme. We also believe that sanctions are a means and not an end in themselves. As was agreed at the most recent Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77, which brings together over two thirds of the Organization, we condemn unilateral sanctions as violations of international law. We also encourage all parties involved in this situation to avoid an escalation of rhetoric and actions that would increase tensions and put international peace and security at risk, especially on the Korean peninsula. We also underscore that we must reject a military way out of this situation and we must make the most of the resources provided to us by diplomacy, such a dialouge and negotiation. We welcome the dual proposal of a halt to the launching of missels and to nuclear tests along with a cessation of military exercises. Lastly, we call for greater participation by Council members in responding to this and other issues of global concern when they are addressed. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.

Let me begin by thanking the Bolivian presidency for convening today’s meeting. My delegation is grateful to be a part of this important meeting. The latest ballistic-missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, on 29 May, was the ninth in the year 2017 and the third in the month of May alone. In fact, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has conducted ballistic missile launches on an almost weekly basis since the inauguration of the new Government in Seoul, on 10 May. Such provocations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in clear violation of multiple relevant Security Council resolutions, cannot be condoned and should be met with a resolute response. It is for that reason that the Republic of Korea supported the unanimous adoption of resolution 2356 (2017) in response to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s series of ballistic- missile launches and other prohibited activities since 9 September 2016. The new sanctions resolution adopted today sends a clear message that the Council will not tolerate repeated ballistic-missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, regardless of their range, type or intended aim-point. With the adoption of this resolution, which has somewhat deviated from its usual response pattern on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ballistic-missile launches, the Council demonstrated its united resolve to respond squarely in the face of the series of ballistic-missile provocations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Resolution 2356 (2017) builds upon and expands the scope of the existing Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions regime. The individuals and entities that will be subject to the travel ban and the assets freeze under this resolution include the senior officals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and its core military apparatus, which are directly responsible for the regime’s illicit nuclear- and ballistic-missile programmes. Some businesspersons and commercial entities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are also newly designated, which I believe will help further restrict the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s ability to finance its illicit activities. I take this opportunity to strongly urge Member States to fully implement all the relevant Security Council sanctions resolutions, including resolutions 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016) and 2356 (2017). After all, the ultimate goal of sanctions and pressure is to bring the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea back to the negotiating table for denuclearization. In order to make the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea choose the right path towards dialogue to that end, we, the international community, should speak with one voice and act in solidarity by thoroughly implementing all the sanctions resolutions. I sincerely hope that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will heed the concerted demands of the international community and seize the opportunity, without further delay, to chart a new beginning in inter-Korean relations, as well as in its relations with the international community. Given the possibility of yet another provocation by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, we must continue to stand ready to respond to any further provocations in a more proactive manner. In conclusion, I would like once again to urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cease all forms of provocation and immediately take steps for dialogue and take action towards denuclearization.