S/PV.8118 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. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear briefings by Mr. Feltman and by myself in my capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). I now give the floor to Mr. Feltman. Mr. Feltman: According to the official news agency of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and various governmental sources, at approximately 2.48 a.m. local time on 29 November, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched a ballistic missile, which it termed an “intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong-15”. The missile was reportedly launched from an area north of Pyongyang. It covered approximately 950 kilometres (km) and reached an apogee of approximately 4,500 km, before impacting into the sea in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Those parameters indicate that, if flown on a standard trajectory, the missile as configured would have a range in excess of 13,000 km. That is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s third test of a ballistic missile of apparent intercontinental range in less than six months, and its twentieth ballistic missile launch this year. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, again, did not issue any airspace or maritime safety notifications. The official media claimed that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was now “capable of striking the whole mainland of the United States”. It also claimed that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea “finally realized the great historic cause of completing the State nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power”. This is the thirteenth time that the Security Council meets to discuss the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 2017. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s repeated nuclear and missile tests over the past two years have created great tension on the Korean peninsula and beyond. This dynamic must be reversed. The solution can only be political. Given the grave risks associated with any military confrontation, in exercise of its primary responsibility, the Security Council needs to do all it can to prevent escalation. Unity in the Security Council is critical. Security Council unity also creates an opportunity for sustained diplomatic engagement  — an opportunity that must be seized in these dangerous times to seek off- ramps and work to create conditions for negotiations. The Secretary-General strongly condemns this latest launch. This is a clear violation of Security Council resolutions and shows complete disregard for the united view of the international community. The Secretary-General urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to desist from taking any further destabilizing steps. The Secretary-General reaffirms his commitment to working with all parties to reduce tensions. I called a meeting this morning with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Permanent Representative to deliver the Secretary-General’s message in person. During the meeting, I stressed that there is nothing more dangerous to peace and security in the world than what is happening now on the Korean peninsula. The Secretary-General discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula with all concerned parties in the margins of the high-level week of the General Assembly. During the Secretary-General’s meeting with Mr. Ri Yong Ho, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, on 23 September, the Secretary-General expressed concern about the tensions on the Korean peninsula and appealed for de-escalation and the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. The Secretary- General emphasized the need for a political solution. Amid the heightened tensions, the United Nations and other humanitarian actors play a critical role in saving the lives of the most vulnerable in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The needs are increasing, and food security remains a critical concern for 70 per cent of the population. Member States are again reminded of the need to support the life-saving activities carried out by humanitarian organizations in the country. We will continue to closely follow the developments and remain in close coordination with the international organizations concerned, and with Members of the Council, as well as other Governments concerned.

I thank Mr. Feltman for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). I have the honour to brief the Security Council on the activities of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) during the period from 12 September 2017 to 29 November 2017, in accordance with paragraph 12 (g) of that resolution. The Committee strongly condemns the continuing violations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in particular the ballistic missile launch on 14 September, which flew over Japan, and the launch on 28 November. Following the adoption of resolution 2375 (2017), on 11 September 2017, which significantly expanded the scope of the sanctions regime, the Committee has been engaged in facilitating the implementation of all sanctions measures, continuing its efforts in that regard. As part of the Committee’s outreach activities, I convened an open briefing with the United Nations membership on 9 October to offer a detailed overview of the expanded sanctions regime and Member States’ obligations in that regard. The briefing provided a forum for Member States to explore challenges and opportunities they faced and to raise specific questions and concerns while implementing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions. I also encouraged them to submit their national implementation reports on concrete measures they have taken to effectively implement the resolutions. As of today, the Committee has received 102, 89 and 31 national implementation reports on resolutions 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), and 2371 (2017), respectively. While this submission rate continues to be much higher than under previous resolutions regarding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it should be recalled that resolution 2375 (2017) requires all Member States to submit their national implementation reports within 90 days of its adoption, that is by 12 December 2017. During the reporting period, the Committee received notifications from Member States informing the Committee of amendments to their national legislation in order to ensure consistency with the financial provisions of resolutions 2321 (2016) and 2356 (2017), and continued to perform its duties through the no-objection procedure envisioned by paragraph 5 (c) of the guidelines of the committee for the conduct of its work. In that regard, on 12 September the Committee approved updates to the informal list of individuals and entities in the Korean language, which incorporated the individuals and entities listed in annexes I and II of resolution 2371 (2017). Following the adoption of resolution 2375 (2017), the Committee approved, on 18 October, further updates to the informal list in the Korean language, which incorporated the individuals and entities listed in annexes I and II of that resolution. With regard to the implementation of resolutions 2270 (2016), 2371 (2017) and 2375 (2017), I am pleased to report that on 29 September the Committee agreed on a list of items of concern related to weapons of mass destruction, in accordance with paragraph 4 of resolution 2375 (2017). On 2 October, the Committee approved a list of conventional arms-related items — in accordance with the requirements set out in paragraph 5 of resolution 2375 (2017)  — and reported to the Security Council. The Committee’s deliberations are ongoing with regard to updating the list of items related to chemical and biological warfare. I am also pleased to report that on 3 October, in accordance with paragraph 6 of resolution 2375 (2017), the Committee was able to reach an agreement on a list of four vessels for designation, pursuant to the measures imposed by paragraph 6 of resolution 2371 (2017). With regard to the sanctions list pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), the Committee approved, on 19 October, a technical correction to an entity designated on that sanctions list and is considering an intergovernmental organization’s requests pertaining to a designated entity and an individual. During the reporting period, the Committee received an exemption request from one Member State to allow one-time entry for the vessel PETREL 8 to the port of Donghae in the Republic of Korea. On 3 November, the Committee approved an exemption to the measures imposed by paragraph 6 of resolution 2371 (2017) and resolution 2375 (2017). The Committee continued to receive notifications on the implementation of resolution 2270 (2016) relating to coal transportation through the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, solely for export from the port of Rajin. The Committee was further notified of planned trans-shipments of coal through the port of Rajin, in accordance with paragraph 8 of resolution 2371 (2017). On 26 September, the Committee received a notification from a Member State of imports of iron ore, iron, lead ore, lead and seafood from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea during the period from 6 August to 4 September, in accordance with paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 of resolution 2371 (2017). During the reporting period, the Committee received a number of notifications, including on training, scientific cooperation and granting visas to nationals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to attend meetings, and also determined whether those activities were compliant with the sanctions regime. The Committee continued its consideration of proposals for assistance to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from international organizations on a range of issues, including the participation of nationals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in United Nations regional meetings and programmes, as well as an official country visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to examine the implementation of international drug control conventions, and intended donations of information technology equipment. I am also pleased to report that the Committee concluded its deliberations on Implementation Assistance Notice No.2 and a fact sheet, which were approved on 3 November. On 15 November, the Committee further approved Implementation Assistance Notice No.1 and Implementation Assistance Notice No.6. All of the updated Implementation Assistance Notices and the fact sheet are available on the Committee’s website. In conclusion, let me recall that the Panel of Experts continued to investigate possible violations of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions regime and conducted a number of outreach activities, a list of which is attached to the report as an annex. Finally, while recalling that the primary responsibility rests with Member States to implement the provisions of resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), 2356 (2017), 2371 (2017) and 2375 (2017), let me reassure the Council that the Committee is committed to facilitating the implementation of those measures, with a view to contributing to a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the issue of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. As this is the last time that I will have the honour to present to the Council the 90-day report on the activities of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), I wish to thank all members of the Council and their delegations for the support that my team and I have received during my tenure, which I am sure will also be provided to my successor. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership in convening this meeting and for your leadership of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). We also appreciate Mr. Feltman’s briefing. This is the ninth time this year that the Security Council has met in reference to North Korea. At the Council’s previous meeting on North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, the United States made it clear that the future of North Korea was in the hands of its own leaders (see S/PV.8042). If they chose the path of peace, then the world would live in peace with them; but if they chose the path of defiance, we would respond appropriately. The choice, we said, was theirs. Yesterday the North Korean regime made a choice. It chose to fuel its nuclear aggression. It chose to thumb its nose at the civilized world. It chose to challenge the patience of a world united against its recklessness. With that choice comes a critical decision point for the rest of the world. The world has responded powerfully to North Korea’s outrageous and lawless actions. The Council has taken unprecedented measures to stop North Korea’s development of a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile. We have levelled the most impacting sanctions that any country has experienced for a generation. We have cut deep into North Korea’s major export industries to eliminate the revenue for its illegal missile programme. We have reduced the country’s military access to the refined petroleum required to run its war machine. In addition to our work here in the Security Council, many nations have taken their own strong actions against North Korea’s threat to peace. This year alone, as North Korea’s behaviour has become increasingly intolerable, more than 20 countries from all corners of the globe have restricted or ended their diplomatic relations with North Korea. Mexico, Peru, Italy, Spain and Kuwait have expelled North Korea’s Ambassadors from their countries. Portugal and the United Arab Emirates have suspended diplomatic relations. The Philippines and Taiwan have suspended all trade with North Korea. Singapore  — formerly North Korea’s seventh-largest trading partner  — has cut all trade ties. Uganda has halted all military and security ties. The European Union, Australia, South Korea and Japan have made additional sacrifices for peace and security by going well beyond the requirements of the Security Council. All of the countries that have taken actions to isolate North Korea have acted based on deep concern for that regime’s dangerous refusal to abandon its nuclear programme. They have selflessly placed our collective security above their individual political and economic interests. They have won the gratitude of the international community for their responsible actions. Regrettably, not all countries have done the same. All States Members of the United Nations are, at the very least, obligated to fully implement all United Nations sanctions. However, we know that that is not happening in every case. The Council has banned coal exports from North Korea, and yet we have reports of the regime continuing to smuggle coal into neighbouring Asian countries, using deceptive tactics to mask the coal’s origins. The Council has required that all refined petroleum imports into North Korea not exceed the annual cap, and we banned ship-to-ship transfers. Yet we see North Korea illegally obtaining refined petroleum from neighbouring States through ship-to-ship transfers in the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. There are countries that are continuing to fund the North Korean nuclear programme by violating United Nations sanctions and obstructing our efforts. The world knows who many of them are. As successful as we have been in levelling multilateral sanctions against it, the North Korean regime continues to test new and more powerful missiles and, in doing so, continues its march towards a functional nuclear arsenal. The continuing development of those missile systems demands that countries further isolate the Kim Jong Un regime. Therefore, today we call on all nations to cut off all ties with North Korea. In addition to fully implementing all United Nations sanctions, all countries should sever diplomatic relations with North Korea and limit military, scientific, technical and commercial cooperation. They must also cut off trade with the regime by stopping all imports and exports and expel all North Korean workers. Just last week, the world was given a stark reminder of the barbarity of the North Korean regime when one of its own soldiers fled the country. Even more than the dramatic video of the soldier’s escape, more shocking was his medical condition unrelated to his bullet wounds. While being treated by a South Korean medical team, doctors discovered that the soldier had parasites and uncooked corn kernels in his digestive tract — clear evidence that the North Korean regime is unwilling to properly feed even its own high-ranking military troops. That is the incomprehensible nature of North Korea. Yesterday’s missile launch was more advanced than previous launches. No one can doubt that this threat is growing. No one can doubt that the North Korean dictator is getting more aggressive in his obsession with nuclear power. Yesterday, the regime declared itself a nuclear power, saying that it had “completed the State nuclear force, tipped with a super-large heavy warhead capable of striking the whole mainland of the United States”. But the North Korean regime missed something very important; as we have said before, being a nuclear Power comes with certain standards. It comes with being responsible enough to know that you do not threaten other countries with nuclear weapons. You do not starve your own people in order to fund nuclear weapons. You do not bully and play games with nuclear weapons. The regime has shown time and again that it does not want to talk. Kim Jong Un did not even speak with President Xi Jingping’s envoy when he was sent to talk to the regime. The regime has emphatically said it will not eliminate its nuclear production — and North Korea is in clear violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. We are once again at a time of reckoning. We have some options. First, we should continue to treat North Korea as the international pariah it has become, by taking its United Nations rights and privileges away, including its voting powers. Secondly, we know the main driver of its nuclear production is oil. Through sanctions, we have cut off 90 per cent of North Korean trade and 30 per cent of its oil, but the crude oil remains. The major supplier of that oil is China. In 2003, China actually stopped the oil to North Korea. Soon after, North Korea came to the table. We need China to do more. President Trump called Chinese President Xi Jinping this morning and told him that we have come to the point where China must cut off the oil for North Korea. That would be a pivotal step in the world’s effort to stop this international pariah. As I mentioned, many countries have made some big economic and political sacrifices by cutting ties with North Korea, which they did to serve the peace and security of us all. We now turn to President Xi Jinping to also take that stand. We believe he has an opportunity to do the right thing for the benefit of all countries. China must show leadership and follow through. China can do that on its own, or we can take the oil situation into our own hands. The dictator of North Korea made a choice yesterday that brings the world closer to war, rather than taking it further away from it. We have never sought war with North Korea, and still today we do not seek it. If war does come, it will be because of continued acts of aggression such as we witnessed yesterday. And if war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed. The nations of the world have it within their power to further isolate, diminish and — God willing — reverse the dangerous course of the North Korean regime. We must all do our part to make that happen.

I would like to begin by thanking the President for convening this meeting, jointly requested by the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan. I thank Mr. Feltman for his briefing, and I also thank Ambassador Cardi, as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), for the presentation of the Committee’s 90-day report to the Council. On 29 November, North Korea once again completely ignored the repeated calls of the international community to abandon its nuclear and missile development programmes and launched another ballistic missile with the range of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), in flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. North Korea later claimed that it conducted a successful launch of the new ICBM Hwasong-15 with “technical capabilities far superior to the previous Hwasong-14”. North Korea even stated that they can load the heaviest warhead and strike anywhere in the mainland United States. This launch is totally unacceptable. Japan lodged a strong protest against North Korea immediately after the launch and condemned the act in the strongest terms. Japan demands that North Korea immediately cease all ballistic missile launches and nuclear development programmes and provocations. Japan will never tolerate a nuclear-armed North Korea. The missile reached the highest-ever apogee of well over 4,000 kilometres, flew for 53 minutes and fell within the Japanese exclusive economic zone, approximately 250 km west of the Aomori prefecture. The local fishery association hastened to check the safety of all fishing vessels that were operating in the sea at the time of the launch. We were lucky that no one was hurt, however this does not change the fact that this was an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act by North Korea. This ballistic missile launch, with the range of an ICBM, was the third of its kind this year. Considering its estimated range, it has become abundantly clear that this is not merely a regional threat but a global threat to all Member States. This most recent provocation made it ever more evident that North Korea is nowhere near ready to give up its nuclear programmes, nor is it interested in coming back to a meaningful dialogue. There is no other choice for us but to work together to put maximum pressure on North Korea so that it alters its course of action and works towards denuclearization. Due to this new launch, some Security Council members may feel frustrated that the sanctions do not seem to be working yet. However, the full implementation of all existing Security Council resolutions, including the recently adopted resolutions 2371 (2017) and 2375 (2017), can bring about a significant impact on North Korea’s calculus. It is extremely important that the Council urge all Member States to fully implement the relevant resolutions. Without faithful implementation, we cannot achieve the intended policy change of North Korea. We should also not lose sight of the fact that it is the North Korean regime that is diverting its resources towards pursuing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles instead of the welfare of its people, who have great unmet needs. We must send a clear, consistent message that it is North Korea that needs to change. Japan will continue to work very closely with Council members and all other Member States to reach a comprehensive solution to the problems related to North Korea.

We have met too many times this year to discuss the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s flagrant violations of unanimous Security Council decisions, and I am deeply disappointed that we have to meet again today following yet another such violation. For the third time, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regime has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. Based on an initial assessment, that missile flew higher and longer than any of those previously launched by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We therefore condemn in the strongest terms North Korea’s actions, and its continued pursuit of its illegal ballistic missile and nuclear programme. Today we summoned the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in London to convey our deep concern about that reckless behaviour. The latest missile launch is not a one-off: it follows 19 previous launches this year, and North Korea’s sixth nuclear test in September. The latest violation demonstrate once more North Korea’s disregard for collective security and the international obligations that all of us, as law-abiding States, take upon themselves. We have condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea many times before. The Security Council, along with the broader international community, must now redouble its efforts to persuade the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to change course. This year through the Council we have worked together to implement measures to curtail the regime’s illegal ballistic missile and nuclear programmes. In developing those measures, we have ensured that the humanitarian needs of the population are protected. It is not the people of North Korea who are threatening global security, it is the regime. Our actions are in stark contrast to the brutality of that regime towards its long- suffering people, who are being held hostage to the whims of its reckless leadership. When those measures are fully implemented, we know that they have an effect. We also know that we must exhaust every avenue to resolve the issue peacefully and diplomatically. We all hope to avoid the need to use military force. That would not only be devastating for the citizens of North Korea, but also for global stability and all of us. Therefore, we must all pursue existing measures and all other diplomatic avenues available to us — fully and without delay. The existing measures will be effective only if they are robustly implemented in full by all Members of the United Nations, beginning with all of us in the Security Council. Many States carry out those responsibilities diligently, but it is clear that more must, and can, be done. The reporting deadline under resolution 2371 (2107) was on the 3 November, but by 21 November only 29 Member States had submitted reports on their implementation of the measures set out in the resolution. Given the scale of the threat, that is simply not good enough. The reporting deadline under resolution 2375 (2017) is on 12 December. We call on all United Nations States Members to meet that deadline and provide an update on the implementation of those measures. We will continue to work with partners around the world to further improve the enforcement of existing measures. We welcome the valuable work of the Panel of Experts as part of our shared efforts to stop the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s illegal programmes. It provides us with information that we need to implement all the relevant measures, and we urge all States to cooperate fully with the Panel and take swift and robust action in response to the Panel’s recommendations. If they do not, then they would be helping the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regime to threaten the world. I have focused so far on our shared efforts to persuade the regime of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to change course. In conclusion, however, I must emphasize that it is that regime alone that the bears responsibility for those programmes, and therefore for its international isolation. It has chosen that path. It can change course. A better future is possible for the country and its benighted people. It must now make the responsible decision to step back towards the negotiating table and to comply with the obligations set by our community of nations.

Egypt continues to firmly condemn North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and launching of ballistic missiles in violation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, as they pose a threat to international and regional peace and security. Accordingly, that stance is based on Egypt’s firm commitment to maintaining the credibility of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons regime and that of the Security Council. Egypt also favours the United Nations system dealing with threats to the non-proliferation regime decisively and seriously, without discrimination or double standards. Egypt also recognizes that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s repeated violations of the relevant Council resolutions pose a threat to international peace and security. They also dangerously threaten the stability of North-East Asia and the national security of countries that enjoy friendly relations with Egypt, such as Japan and the Republic of Korea. Egypt calls on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to immediately cease all violations and actions that run counter to the relevant resolutions. We call on North Korea to refrain from any escalation that might lead to more tension and instability, thereby threatening international and regional peace and security. Egypt reiterates the need for the Security Council and all United Nations bodies to assume their responsibilities in that regard. Through efforts aimed at reaching a sustainable and peaceful settlement to the very alarming situation on the Korean peninsula, such a settlement should include the total elimination of all nuclear weapons and achieving sustainable peace between the two Koreas in accordance with the provisions of the relevant resolutions, including the revitalization of the Six-Party Talks and negotiations, so as to break the vicious cycle generated by the continued violations of Security Council resolutions by North Korea. In conclusion, I would like to express our high appreciation to the outstanding efforts that you have made, Sir, together with the members of the Italian delegation, as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), during Italy’s membership on the Security Council. Those efforts have had an obvious impact on facilitating the work of that important Committee, which plays a critical role in following up on the relevant resolutions concerning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and helping Member States take the appropriate measures. Your efforts have been successful despite the technical complexities related to the implementation of an unprecedented international sanctions regime. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President, for presenting your report today on the activities of the Committee over the past 90 days. It underscores the clear dynamism of the Committee, to which we accord great importance in the light of Egypt’s commitment to the scrupulously implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his briefing. Sweden condemns yesterday’s intercontinental ballistic missile test in the strongest terms. The test constitutes a clear threat to international peace and security, an unacceptable provocation and a clear breach of the international obligations of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in defiance of numerous Security Council resolutions. The actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea represent a threat not only to its own region but to all regions. We again urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to heed the Council’s decisions that it should cease provocations, fulfil its international obligations, engage in meaningful dialogue and abandon its nuclear and missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. It should return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons regime and the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Sweden fully supports the relevant resolutions adopted unanimously by the Council in relation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It is important that the Council remain united and that the Security Council resolutions be swiftly implemented by all countries so as to ensure the full effect of those resolutions. At the same time, sanctions alone will not resolve the situation on the Korean peninsula. We need to pave the way for a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution. Therefore, in parallel with an effective and rigorous implementation of the sanctions regime, we must urgently undertake further work to reduce tensions, so as to advance the prospects for a comprehensive settlement. Turning now to the report of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), I would like to thank you, Mr. President, and your team for the excellent work as Chair of that important Committee. The Committee has a critical role to play in effectively implementing the resolutions adopted by the Council in order to ensure that they have the desired effect. The Committee and its Panel of Experts should continue its outreach to Member States on sanctions implementation, as well as to support their capacity- building efforts. Some further efforts are already under way, but more can be done. We look forward to continuing discussions on how to enhance the effectiveness of restrictive measures. The responsibility to protect and uphold the well-being of its people indisputably falls to the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Yet, while the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea regime diverts critical resources to expensive weapons programmes, its people continue to suffer from serious human rights violations and a grave humanitarian situation. The humanitarian situation remains of serious concern. The measures adopted by the Council were never intended to have a negative effect on humanitarian assistance. Therefore, recent reports that the sanctions are having adverse consequences, including on the ability of humanitarian organizations to respond to those urgent humanitarian needs, are deeply concerning. Such challenges need to be addressed, and humanitarian principles need to be adhered to. In that regard, we look forward to discussions in the Committee, with input from the Panel of Experts and relevant United Nations bodies, on how to ensure that the resolutions are implemented as intended and rigorously, while, at the same time, ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those in need of assistance.

I thank Under- Secretary-General Feltman for his briefing on the latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. That launch, in blatant violation of numerous Security Council resolutions, fosters the growing nuclear threat in the region. Despite immense political and diplomatic efforts to halt the North Korean weapons of mass destruction programmes, we have seen no signs whatsoever of any intention on the part of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to change its behaviour. The irresponsible North Korean policy has already seriously undermined the non-proliferation regime as a whole. In that regard, I wish to recall the statement of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine of 29 November, which states, inter alia, that Ukraine resolutely condemns the launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-15, which is capable of carrying a nuclear payload, conducted on 28 November by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. That deliberate act of Pyongyang, aimed at the development of even more powerful missiles, as well as its threats to use nuclear weapons, seriously endangers not only the security of North Korea’s immediate neighbours but also global security and stability far beyond the Korean peninsula. Ukraine aligns itself with all States that have condemned the dangerous act of Pyongyang and calls upon the leadership of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to stop its provocations immediately. I join the previous speakers in commending your efforts, Mr. President, as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), aimed at ensuring full implementation of the Security Council resolutions relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We welcome the significant expansion of the relevant sanctions regime, in accordance with the recent Council decisions, as well as the dynamic outreach activities conducted by both the Italian Chair and the Panel of Experts. Unconditional and full compliance with the resolutions are one of the key prerequisites for lowering the level of the nuclear threat in the region and curbing the ability of North Korea to carry out further provocations. In that regard, we endorse the constructive work of the Committee during the reporting period, in particular the update of the control lists of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) , in accordance with resolutions 2371 (2017) and 2375 (2017), and the adoption of several implementation assistance notices. The specific and result-oriented measures are important for strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the current sanctions regime. To conclude, I wish to stress that yesterday’s provocation dampened hopes for resuming a dialogue on the denuclearization of North Korea. Frankly, after two and a half months of no tests and launches, there appeared a glimmer of hope that such a dialogue was not out of reach. However, yesterday’s act clearly demonstrated that the North Korean regime is not interested in talks. Instead, it is striving recklessly to entertain the ideé fixe of obtaining the status of a nuclear-weapon State, which will never be recognized or tolerated by the international community. Ukraine stands ready to engage constructively with all partners to change the current situation and to move closer to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula anyway.

I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman and Ambassador Cardi for their briefings. The relevant Security Council resolutions contain explicit provisions on launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea using ballistic missile technology. China expresses its great concern over and its opposition to the latest missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions and to cease actions that escalate the tensions on the Korean peninsula. In the recent past, the overall situation on the peninsula was stable, which provided a window of opportunity for diplomatic efforts. Regrettably, that window failed to lead to a resumption of dialogue and negotiations. The nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula has continued for more than two decades. During that period, the most valuable experience gained was that when the parties moved towards each other and engaged in honest interaction, there was the possibility of reaching an agreement. And the most important lesson was that when the parties adopted a tough stance and misjudged each other, the chances for peace would escape them. This year, the Security Council has unamimously adopted resolutions 2356 (2017), 2371 (2017) and 2375 (2017). Those resolutions demonstrate the united position of the international community against the development by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of nuclear and ballistic missile capacities and of upholding the international non-proliferation regime. At the same time, they underscore the importance of the parties concerned reducing tension on the peninsula and reiterate the need to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in North- East Asia as a whole and the commitment to seeking a settlement by means of peaceful diplomatic and political negotiations, while emphasizing that people’s livelihoods and the humanitarian assistance efforts in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should not be negatively impacted. In view of the current grave situation on the Korean peninsula, the top priority is for all parties concerned to show restraint, implement comprehensively and strictly the relevant Security Council resolutions, and strive for an early resumption of dialogue and negotiations. China has always supported the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula as well as peace and stability thereon. China has consistently advocated dialogue and negotiations as a means of achieving a settlement and prevent conflict and chaos on the peninsula, and it has worked tirelessly towards that goal. China has put forward a proposal for the suspension by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of its nuclear and missile activities, as well as the suspension by the United States and the Republic of Korea of large-scale joint military exercises. China is proposing a dual-track approach aimed at promoting parallel progress in denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula. The Russian Federation, too, has put forward the idea of a phased approach to the settlement of the issues facing the Korean peninsula. On the basis of the aforementioned proposals, China and the Russian Federation issued a joint statement on 4 July proposing a road map for the settlement of the problems facing the Korean peninsula. The joint initiative by China and Russia is practical and feasible and is aimed at promoting the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue on the peninsula and at maintaining peace and stability there. As such, we hope that it will elicit a response and support from the parties concerned. In the current situation, the Security Council must shoulder its historical responsibility by prompting the parties to take integrated measures to settle problems through peaceful diplomatic and political means and maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. China will continue to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions comprehensively and in their entirety and, together with the parties concerned, will continue to play an active and constructive role in seeking an appropriate settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and an early realization of the denuclearization of and long-term peace and stability on the peninsula. China expects that all the parties concerned, in particular the main parties, will make efforts to that end by honouring their commitments and playing a constructive role. China believes that the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) should be conducive to the realization of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, the maintenance of peace and stability on the peninsula, and the promotion of dialogue and negotiations among the parties concerned, with a view to finding a solution. The Panel of Experts must act in strict compliance with its mandate and conduct its work on the basis of the principles of objectivity and impartiality and of substantiated evidence. It is China’s consistent view that the Security Council sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should not negatively impact the relevant humanitarian assistance activities.

We thank Under-Secretary- General Feltman for his briefing on the ballistic- missile test carried out yesterday by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in violation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. For the past three months, we have been hopeful that the tension on the Korean peninsula would be subsiding. We were thus optimistic, as Ukraine was, that there were reasonable grounds for a diplomatic way out of the very dangerous stalemate we were witnessing. This latest test, which we strongly condemn, has no doubt undermined the hope that we had. But we are still convinced that it is not proper to abandon this hope, because in our view there is no other acceptable option. The solution is political, as Under-Secretary-General Feltman said earlier. Many of those who spoke before me said that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must change its approach and behaviour. We agree. But in the meantime, everything should be done to avoid any miscalculation, and every effort should be made to de-escalate tensions. It may not be easy, but we believe that all those who are in a position to make a difference should spare no effort, in a united fashion, to find a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the United Nations Charter. In the meantime, ensuring the full implementation of the various Security Council resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remains critical. We appreciate the briefing by Ambassador Cardi on the activities of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) and commend the able manner in which he is guiding its work. We welcome the outreach activities he conducted during the reporting period. In our view, such activities significantly contribute to the full and effective implementation of the relevant Council resolutions. The increase in the number of national implementation reports received following the outreach activities undertaken by the Chair is testimony to this fact. I wish to conclude by once again reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to continue to fulfil its obligations in this regard, and we look forward to us finding a political approach that would lay the basis for resolving the crisis that we are facing on the Korean peninsula.

I thank the representative of Ethiopia for his kind words.

We wish to thank you, Mr. President, in your capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), for your presentation of the 90-day report, as well as Under- Secretary-General Feltman for his briefing on the launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of a ballistic missile on 28 November. This fresh violation by Pyongyang of a Security Council resolution is cause for deep disappointment. Once again, we must take stock of the fact that prospects for normalizing the situation on the Korean peninsula remain very distant. There is no doubt that this further demonstration of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s open disregard of the demands set out in the resolutions of the Security Council and the norms of international law justifies the strongest condemnation. Russia does not accept the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s goal of acquiring the status of a nuclear power and has supported all Security Council resolutions demanding an end to the missile and nuclear programme of Pyongyang, in the interests of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. At the same time, it is clear to us that there can be no military solution to the problems on the Korean peninsula. Given current conditions, we strongly call on all parties concerned to halt the spiral of tension that seems to follow each cycle of reaction and counter- reaction. It is essential to take a step back and carefully weigh the consequences of each move and to revise the policy of mutual threats and intimidation, because such a policy can only have the opposite effect of what is being sought. It is in the interest of the entire international community for the situation on the Korean peninsula to be resolved only through peaceful means. In the meantime, until the States of the region show their readiness to pay due attention to the political components of all sanctions resolutions, including resolution 2375 (2017), the situation will continue to deteriorate, creating in a vicious circle. Sanctions against Pyongyang are simply an instrument aimed at engaging it in constructive negotiations and should not be used either to strangle the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea economically or to intentionally worsen the humanitarian situation. This pertains in particular to the illegal unilateral restrictions that strike at the civilian sector and have no link to the country’s missile and nuclear programmes. Over the past two and a half months, the United States and its allies seem to have been testing Pyongyang’s patience with their activities, including undeclared, unscheduled military manoeuvres in October, recently instituted unilateral sanctions, and United States and South Korean military and air exercises to be conducted next week on an unprecedented scale near the border of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and which were only just announced. Against a backdrop of relative calm from Pyongyang, these incessant gestures of hostility towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea compel us to reconsider the sincerity of the statements being made about preferring to use peaceful means to resolve the crisis surrounding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We believe that this time should have been used to take concrete steps to make direct contact with Pyongyang rather than further escalating tensions. A comprehensive solution to the problems of the Korean peninsula is possible only in the framework of a general military and political détente in North-East Asia, reducing the level of military confrontation and establishing mutual trust among the States involved in the region. That was the approach proposed by Russia and China in their joint statement on 4 July on a road map for gradual progress towards a settlement, starting with the principle of suspension for suspension, which envisions a halt by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to its missile and nuclear tests with at the same time a reduction by the United States and South Korea of the scale and intensity of their military exercises. That in turn would pave the way to a discussion of the principles of peaceful coexistence between Washington and Pyongyang and a resumption of the inter-Korean dialogue. It must be clear to everyone that making progress towards achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Korean peninsula’s issues will be difficult as long as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea feels that its security is directly threatened. And that is how Pyongyang sees the military hyperactivity that is going on in the region in the form of the conduct of regular, large-scale manoeuvres and exercises by the United States and its allies, as well as by sending strategic bombers and naval forces, including aircraft carriers. An additional destabilizing factor in the region has been the ramping up in the Republic of Korea of elements of the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system. We have repeatedly stated that such moves are not only an irritant but undermine the military balance in the region generally and jeopardize the security of neighbouring States. It is now more important than ever for the parties involved to refrain from provoking each other, show restraint and make sure that no further steps are taken that could further escalate tensions. In that regard, we strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to stop its nuclear-missile tests and call on the United States and the Republic of Korea to refrain from the large-scale unscheduled military manoeuvres starting at the beginning of December, which will only inflame an already explosive situation. Russia’s position on resolving the situation around the Korean peninsula remains unchanged. Finding a long-term, mutually acceptable solution to all the problems can be achieved effectively only through determined, active diplomacy. In that context, we call on all sides to start working without delay on finding a formula for a political and diplomatic settlement. We see no rational alternative to that.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Japanese and United States delegations for calling for this emergency meeting. I would also like to thank the Italian presidency for organizing the meeting and Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his clear and factual briefing. I would also like to personally thank and commend you, Sir, as Ambassador of Italy, for your work in your capacity as Chair of the Committee pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), and for the clarity of your briefing and your leadership of the Committee over the past year. The delegation of Senegal in its turn once again categorically condemns North Korea’s latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, which comes barely two months after its launch of a missile on 15 September and clearly casts doubt on the effectiveness of the sanctions on North Korea. Despite all the resolutions, sanctions and other measures that the Council has adopted on North Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, far from abandoning its military nuclear ambitions, has managed to call into question the Security Council’s ability to deal with the problem posed by its illegal military nuclear programme. That is why the Senegalese delegation would like to emphasize that targeted measures are a legitimate response to the threat posed by North Korea’s ballistic nuclear programme. The measures outlined in the Council’s recent resolution 2375 (2017) should be one integral component of a comprehensive political strategy aimed at convincing the parties to engage in frank dialogue with the goal of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, with the international community’s active support. In affirming its belief in the importance of finding a peaceful and diplomatic settlement to the Korean crisis, Senegal would like to reiterate its appeal to the parties to resume face-to-face dialogue with the aim of achieving the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, thereby fostering the possibility of peaceful coexistence between the peoples and countries of the region. However, the challenge of implementing the sanctions in place still has to be met by all States, international organizations and the private business sector, since they are a long way from being effectively enforced, leaving large gaps that the North Korean authorities systematically exploit in order to obtain the resources they need to continue their illegal, dangerous programme. With regard to the work of the 1718 Committee, my delegation commends the efforts of its members to promote the full implementation of sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and we encourage them to redouble their efforts.My country welcomes the awareness-raising work of the Committee and of its Panel of Experts, who are always willing to provide guidance to any State requesting assistance, whether by providing information on designated entities, giving advice on submitting reports of non-compliance or sharing ways to improve implementation of the relevant resolutions. We encourage the adoption of an implementation reporting mechanism and support the draft assistance notes on implementing the resolutions on North Korea, which are very helpful to Member States. However, we reiterate our concerns about recent cases of violations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and therefore urge it to refrain from provocations and commit to a peaceful, diplomatic, political and comprehensive solution through dialogue, with the aim of restoring peace in the Korean peninsula. In that regard, we call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to halt and abandon its existing nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes as soon as possible and once and for all, fully, verifiably and irreversibly. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Senegal’s continuing readiness and willingness to make every effort to implement resolution 1718 (2006) and other resolutions pertaining to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In that regard, my country will submit its own report on the implementation of resolutions 2371 (2017) and 2375 (2017) in the next few weeks.

I thank Under- Secretary-General Feltman and Ambassador Cardi for their informative briefings. Kazakhstan is extremely concerned about another provocative missile launch by Pyongyang. Our Ministry for Foreign Affairs has issued an extremely condemnatory statement on this matter. There is no doubt that such actions run counter to the demands of the international community and gravely violate all relevant Security Council resolutions. Pyongyang has to understand that the world will not accept its nuclear status. All sides should refrain from taking any provocative action because further provocations will generate only even greater confrontation and spur a new wave of escalations, with untold consequences. The outcomes of such a scenario will be most grave for all the parties involved. We continue to hold the strong conviction that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution to the North Korean crisis, and that the stalemate can be overcome only through negotiations, dialogue and goodwill on the part of all parties. Economic sanctions should be smart and targeted, and not lead to a deterioration of the overall humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We must avoid heading down the military path, with often unpredictable hazards from which we may not be able to extricate ourselves. Astana therefore stands for the tireless search for a comprehensive and collective solution of the issue through new, decisive political and diplomatic actions. It is only through meaningful communication and collective deliberations, accompanied by confidence-building measures, that we will be able to find a way out of this very complex situation. The Council should remain united on that issue, and exert a new, determined political will to avert undesired consequences before the hostilities become even more deeply entrenched and the last of the red lines has been crossed irreversibly. Once again, I thank Ambassador Cardi for his informative report and for his most committed efforts as Chair of the Committee pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), especially since this will be his last briefing on the subject in his current capacity. As Italy will be leaving us at the end of this year, I would like to acknowledge its outstanding contribution to the work of the Security Council. We recognize the practical outcomes of the Committee’s work under the chairmanship of Ambassador Cardi, who has provided very good momentum through a series of ongoing outreach activities, the provision of regular updated lists of individuals and legal entities, the agreed and approved list of weapons of mass destruction-related and conventional arms-related weaponry, updated information notes and fact sheets, and other relevant data. The well-organized work of the Committee has undoubtedly contributed to the effective implementation of all the relevant sanctions resolutions of the Council. We hope that the thorough work of the Committee and its investment on every front to resolve the overall issues with North Korea will also contribute to persuading the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon its nuclear programme.

As my first order of business, I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his informative briefing today. I also thank Ambassador Cardi, in his capacity as Chair of the Committee pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), for his work. Bolivia once again strongly condemns the launch yesterday, 28 November, of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is thought to be the most powerful and longest range device to date. We reiterate our urgent appeal to that country to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programme in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with the provisions of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. Bolivia, as a country in the first region to be declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone under the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, better known as the Tlatelolco Treaty, will always condemn the development and manufacture of nuclear weapons, which constitute a grave violation of international law and pose a direct threat to the survival of our species on this planet. Similarly, Bolivia, in its capacity as a pacifist State that promotes the culture of and the right to peace, rejects any form of the use of force or threat of the use of force as an instrument to resolve disputes and conflicts among States. In that regard, we urge all the parties involved to avoid raising tensions and an escalation of the war of words that jeopardize international peace and security, particularly in the Korean peninsula. We urge all parties to refrain from any act of provocation, unilateral action or any action taken outside international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We reiterate our support for the Chinese initiative of a double freeze, which would allow for a simultaneous halt of relevant activities in the Korean peninsula. Likewise, in the framework of the provisions of paragraph 27 of resolution 2371 (2017), we must act to promote the resumption of the Six-Party Talks, taking as a starting point the Russian-Chinese proposal and its related road map, which is currently the only tangible proposal that has been put forward for resolving the situation. Over the past six months, the Security Council has adopted one of the most draconian sets of sanctions of recent decades. States must work towards their implementation so that they can serve their stated purpose. We underscore that for Bolivia, sanctions cannot be an end in themselves, but rather must serve as a tool to encourage parties to bring the parties to the negotiating table in a transparent dialogue that will achieve a negotiated end to the conflict. We wish to remind the membership that, in line with Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations, we have the responsibility to maintain international peace and security. To that end, we must take decisions promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes, and of this one in particular. In that spirit, we propose that the Council endow the Secretary-General with the mandate necessary to use his good offices to find a peaceful settlement to this complex situation. Finally, Bolivia reiterates its call on all the parties involved to rule out any alternative military solution or threat of the use of force, and to return to dialogue and negotiations to achieve a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution that, we reiterate, will result in the denuclearized Korean peninsula.

I would first like to thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his briefing. I also thank you, Mr. President, for your work as Chair of the Committee pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) and for your exemplary energy and that of your team on this matter this year. I also thank the United States of America, Japan and the Republic of Korea for requesting this meeting following the announcement of a missile ballistic missile launch by North Korea. France, in a statement by President Macron, has condemned the launch in the strongest terms, and I would like to once again reiterate, as did our Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean Yves Le Drian, the full solidarity of France with Japan and the Republic of Korea, which are in the front lines in facing this threat. Allow me to focus on the three main criteria that guide French policy on this important issue. The first requirement is the need to be clear- eyed as the threat before us evolves. Let us make no mistake. After the intercontinental ballistic launches of this summer and the nuclear test of an unprecedented scale on 3 September, the threat has changed in scale and character. From a regional threat, it has become a global threat. From a virtual threat, it has become an immediate threat. In other words, it is of unprecedented gravity. This threat affects all of us because it weighs on all of us. After this latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile yesterday, North Korea has resumed its irresponsible race towards escalation. This new provocation reminds us above all how dangerously the situation has evolved. The methodical progress made in the fields of nuclear and ballistic capabilities — of which this launch is a further illustration  — has led to the immediate and global threat to which I have referred. Through the accumulation of increasingly offensive provocations, North Korea continues to threaten regional and international peace and security. The second requirement that we must prioritize today is that of firmness. Faced with the regime’s headlong and irresponsible acivities and flouting of its international obligations, we must now more than ever act swiftly, in unity and with resolve. We must respond as one to this attack on peace and security and the system of law on which they are built. Let us be clear that it is the international nuclear non-proliferation regime itself that is being tested by the North Korean nuclear and ballistic programme. Weakness and inaction are not options. In that context, our priority is to exert maximum pressure on the North Korean regime through a sound combination of two axes of action. The first, indispensable axis is to strengthen and accelerate the strict and comprehensive implementation of sanctions already in place. We still have significant options in that regard. The activities of the Committee pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), supported by the Panel of Experts — as reflected in the very enlightening briefing we received today — are essential in this respect. We particularly welcome indications of the growing number of national implementation reports and ongoing work to make the sanctions stick. We must pursue and intensify these efforts. We must also remain especially vigilant against North Korea’s ever-changing efforts to evade sanctions. Faced with its inventiveness, let us be even more inventive. But the rapid exacerbation of the threat requires us to go further still. That is why France favours a strengthening of sanctions. We know that only strong sanctions are capable of influencing the North Korean regime’s strategy. France is therefore ready to get straight to work to that end, alongside all its partners on the Security Council. The European Union is also contributing to those efforts. Last month, it adopted new autonomous measures, beyond the transposition of United Nations sanctions. The firm and united response so ardently sought by France has a twofold objective. First, we must react to Pyongyang’s unjustifiable attitude and avoid sending any message of impunity for the flagrant violation of our decisions. Secondly, as I have said, we must maximise pressure on the North Korean regime to meet its obligations and return to reason. In that context, the third requirement  — both logically and chronologically — is diplomacy, the path to which will be opened only by firm action. France is convinced that maximum firmness today, in the form of strengthened sanctions, is our best leverage for promoting a political settlement tomorrow. Conversely, anything that could be seen by the North Korean regime as an expression of weakness or internal division would encourage it to pursue its provocations and objectively heighten the threat of resort to extreme measures. To put it simply, the supremely firm attitude that France urges the Security Council to adopt is our best antidote to the threat of confrontation and war and our best way to open the path to a political solution, which we believe must be based on the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We do not close the door to dialogue and have never closed it. It is the North Korean regime that insists, through its irresponsible and unacceptable attitude, on rejecting it. So long as North Korea remains deaf to our demands and continues to underline its threats with one provocation after another, we will have no choice but to raise the pressure in response. That is the only way to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table and open the path to the necessary political and diplomatic solution that we seek. These are France’s three complementary priorities that must guide us: a clear-eyed understanding of the unprecedented gravity of the threat, maximum firmness in response, and diplomacy in the service of a political resolution to the North Korean nuclear crisis. While our collective security is at stake, and with it the future of the entire non-proliferation regime that serves as its backbone, France calls on all stakeholders to take this demanding journey together.

I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Feltenman, for his briefing and the delegations of the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea for having convened this open meeting. Once again, we find ourselves here in the face of the threat from North Korea, which persists in its obstinate behaviour of flaunting its increasingly developed nuclear programme and its capacity to launch nuclear weapons. Uruguay reiterates its severest condemnation of the latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea yesterday. All these tests are reckless, irresponsible and unacceptable. Uruguay reiterates its call on North Korea to abandon its existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and immediately to cease all related activities, including launches using ballistic missile technology and other acts of provocation. Three missile launches this year have threatened Japan, constituting an immediate threat to that country and its population. We reiterate that incidents such as these are a serious threat to international peace and security and constitute a flagrant violation of international law. We reiterate that North Korea must respect all the resolutions of the Security Council, set aside its nuclear intentions and return to the path of dialogue, whose ultimate goal must be denuclearization. However, the repeated reiteration of all these demands is simply not working. Without prejudice to maintaining and improving an effective sanctions regime, it is necessary to break the current vicious cycle in which North Korea systematically violates the resolutions of the Security Council, which then imposes a posteriori sanctions and issues communications that fail to change the situation in any way. We cannot continue in this manner. We must coordinate strategies that lead to a solution to this situation with the North Korean regime, which is betting on an escalation of tensions whose consequences could be disastrous for the region and beyond. Uruguay reiterates its call for dialogue, since we see no solution to the North Korean issue other than through the peaceful pursuit of talks, negotiation and political compromise between the parties. It is time to change the current pattern of developments on the matter before it is too late and we have a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions on our hands. Uruguay is nearing the end of its mandate and participation as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. In these two years, we have witnessed a major increase in the number of meetings at which the situation of North Korea has been considered. My country participated in the adoption of five of the harshest and most meaningful resolutions, as well as presidential statements and statements to the press. Nevertheless, North Korea’s pattern of behaviour has not changed. A way out of this delicate situation is possible only through diplomacy, as part of an international strategy that enjoys the resolute commitment of all countries, especially those with influence in the Korean peninsula. The provocative actions will not stop unless the situation is redirected towards the path of dialogue and negotiation. In that regard, Uruguay reiterates its commitment to continue to work towards a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Italy. First of all, I would like to thank Under-Secretary- General Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing. Once again, the Security Council is confronted with an irresponsible and legal provocation by the regime of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. As stated today by Prime Minister Gentiloni Silveri and Foreign Minister Alfano, Italy firmly condemns Pyongyang’s launch of another ballistic missile, with intercontinental range, which constitutes a grave threat of a truly global nature, as well as an immediate danger to neighbouring countries, to which we express our full solidarity. North Korea’s persistent defiance of the non-proliferation regime, in violation of multiple Security Council resolutions, represents a threat to regional stability as well as to international peace and security. We encourage the international community to stand together in order to defend our collective security. Maintaining a high level of economic and diplomatic pressure on the regime constitutes the appropriate response to the reckless behaviour of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We will continue to work on this matter as a member of the Security Council for the remainder of the year, as well as within the European Union. In that context, allow me also to reiterate the primary importance that Italy attaches to the continued unity of the Security Council on this matter. Italy has adopted additional measures at the national level consistent with the relevant Council resolutions, such as suspending the accreditation procedure for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Ambassador in Rome. Through that decision, we intended to convey and unequivocal message regarding the need for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon it defiant and self-isolating policies. I have already spoken about sanctions implementation in my capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). However, I would like to add that we are committed to ensuring  — as reaffirmed in the Council’s latest resolutions — that the sanctions regime does not have unintended negative consequences on the humanitarian situation in the country. We will address that topic at the next meeting of the Committee. I therefore renew our full solidarity with the people of North Korea, who continue to suffer as the regime ignores their basic needs in its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to reverse course immediately and verifiably, including putting an end to all nuclear and missile-related activities, thereby making credible progress on its obligation to denuclearize. That is the only course of action by which North Korea can begin to regain the trust of the international community and open up the way to a peaceful solution through meaningful negotiations. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.

Let me also begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency meeting of the Security Council on North Korea’s long-range ballistic missile launch conducted at dawn, local time, on 29 November. I am grateful for this opportunity to take part in the discussion on this urgent and important issue. My special thanks go to Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing, and to you, Mr. President, for your 90-day report as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). North Korea broke a 75-day pause in its provocations with yet another ballistic missile launch yesterday. We are taken aback by the degree of recklessness on the part of North Korea, acting in defiance of the entire international community, which has been sending out an unprecedentedly strong and unified message of warning to stop its further provocations. Countries across virtually all continents have recently taken robust and biting measures against North Korea’s illicit programme of weapons of mass destruction — not only through the full and thorough implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions but also through other available voluntary means, such curtailing commercial transactions and downsizing diplomatic presence and relations with North Korea. It was amid those concerted actions by the whole international community that North Korea came up with yet another launch of a ballistic missile, with intercontinental range. We simply cannot, and should not, take such a reckless provocation less seriously than any other previous provocations by North Korea. For the past two months, some viewed the absence of North Korean provocations following the Hwasong-12 launch on 15 September as possibly indicating that North Korea was finally awakened to a stark reality. Others had high hopes that North Korea would continue its restraint in the spirit of the Olympic Truce resolution, which we adopted by consensus at the General Assembly earlier this month (General Assembly resolution 72/6). Some even saw a possible window of opportunity, from that relatively long period of silence, that might tip the balance towards an easing of the tensions on the Korean peninsula. Those well- intentioned hopes may well evaporate following North Korea’s missile provocation yesterday. But it is premature to give up hope. Our road towards the denuclearization of North Korea has once again proved to be extremely bumpy, but we should not stop here due to frustration. As narrow as it maybe, there is still a window of opportunity. We need to remain patient and persistent in our diplomatic efforts to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table. The Security Council should never stop sending out an unequivocal message that a nuclear-armed North Korea with ballistic missile capability is unacceptable. The Council should also renew its unwavering commitment to stepping up sanctions and pressure until North Korea finally abandons its nuclear and missile programmes. For its part, North Korea must not take lightly the message coming out of today’s meeting of the Security Council. If North Korea continues to underestimate or miscalculate the firm resolve of the international community, it will turn out to be a grave mistake. North Korea should be awakened from its false sense of security. We once again urge Pyongyang to take advantage of the rapidly closing window of opportunity to resolve its nuclear problem peacefully, and thereby ensure its security. As has been repeatedly emphasized loud and clear, the international community is ready to provide a better future for North Korea — if it makes the right choice.