S/PV.9004 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Japan and the Republic of Korea to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, 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/2022/263, 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 2627 (2022). I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements after the voting.

The United States would like to express its appreciation to Council members for this mandate renewal and for the important discussions that brought us here. The Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) continues to be indispensable in investigating the unlawful weapons programme and sanctions evasion efforts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Despite the limitations of the coronavirus disease pandemic, the Panel has nevertheless continued to effectively monitor the implementation of these sanctions. We remain grateful to the Panel for its invaluable contributions to the 1718 regime. I have often reiterated the importance of effectively overseeing the implementation of the 1718 sanctions regime in the Chamber, which is made possible by the critical work of the Panel. This is particularly essential in the light of the escalatory provocations of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea since the beginning of the year. There is more that we could and should do to empower the Panel and ensure that its work can be best leveraged by all Member States to fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions. Although we were unable to come to an agreement on how to do that in the resolution we voted on today (resolution 2627 (2022)), I look forward to collaborating with my fellow Council members and all Member States towards our shared objective of holding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea accountable for its unlawful behaviour. I want to end by expressing the United States concern over the report leakage — a concern I know many Council members share. I hope that all parties protect the report until it is publicly released moving forward. The United States also asked that the Panel deliver the incident report requested by multiple Council members on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful ballistic missile launches earlier this year. I look forward to working with the Council to continue supporting the Panel’s mandate and fully implementing the international sanctions regime addressing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programme.

China supports the Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) in performing its duties in strict adherence to its mandate. There is a need for the Panel to improve its working methods and carry out its work in an objective and impartial manner with a view to genuinely helping Member States to better implement Council resolutions relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We voted in favour of resolution 2627 (2022), renewing the Panel’s mandate. However, at the same time, we note with concern that both the 2021 interim and final reports of the Panel were leaked before their public release, triggering false speculation in the media. Some media outlets even blatantly cited detailed material, as dictated by outgoing experts of the Panel, describing the inner workings of both the Committee and the Panel. China is seriously concerned about that and believes it necessary for the Council to raise the issue of leaked reports and the confidentiality of information in this year’s resolution on the mandate renewal and, accordingly, put forward a relevant language proposal. During consultations on the text, China’s views were supported by a large number of Council members, but the resolution penholder declined to take China’s legitimate concerns on board. We hereby register our deep discontent and regret. The issue of leaked reports and confidentiality has become a chronic problem for the Panel. If it is not taken seriously and addressed in a timely manner, it will severely damage the credibility of the Panel and interfere with the normal functioning of the Committee. That would ultimately add to the complexities of the Council’s handling of issues relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and create a negative chain reaction among other expert groups. We therefore call on all parties in the Council to pay greater attention to those issues. The Committee and the Secretariat should strengthen their guidance of and discipline within the Panel, urging members to act strictly in accordance with their mandate and maintain confidentiality both during and after their tenure with a view to preventing future leaks. China reserves its right to raise this issue, both in the Council and in the Committee, and looks forward to the support of all parties when required. Regarding the issue of the Korean peninsula, I will give a full presentation of China’s position later in this meeting.

Russia supported the adoption of resolution 2627 (2022), extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. At the same time, we regret that the penholders were not able to consider our wishes and theproposals of our colleagues on preventing leaks of expert reports and on the investigation of such incidents. We hope that this question will be considered in detail at the Committee level, with the aim of adopting measures to put an end to that flawed practice.

First, allow me to thank the United States, as penholder of resolution 2627 (2022), on the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), for facilitating the process that led to the renewal of the mandate of the 1718 Committee’s Panel of Experts for one year. That process has given all Council members an opportunity to contribute, and we appreciate the fact that consensus has been reached on a technical rollover. I wish to express our great support and appreciation for the Panel’s hard work, which provides the Committee with concrete findings and recommendations. The reports produced by the Panel continue to offer invaluable insights and background information for Committee members and United Nations Member States alike. The numerous missile launches of the past month, reports from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea State media on the development of new missile technologies and the lack of international presence in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, due to its self-imposed coronavirus disease restrictions, all show that assessments by the Panel of Experts are more crucial than ever. We therefore welcome the Panel’s assessment of and reporting on incidents of possible non-compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions, including in the interim periods between the submission of its interim and final reports. I would also like to retreat the importance of the confidentiality of the reports of the Panel of Experts and related information before publication. Any leakage of confidential information, especially the Panel’s report, before the Committee has had an opportunity to consider and discuss it only diminishes the credibility of the work of the Committee and severely impacts its effort to oversee the sanctions measures and address non-compliance. We once again thank Council members for their valuable efforts to renew the mandate and extend our sincere thanks to the entire Panel of Experts for its continued work on the topic.

Mexico supports the renewal of the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). Its work has been fundamental in monitoring the implementation of Security Council resolutions related to the nuclear and ballistic missile programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. However, we regret that despite the efforts of the penholder of resolution 2627 (2022) during negotiations on the text, we were unable to reach agreement among all members of the Council on explicit instructions to the Panel of Experts to investigate and report, in a timely manner, on incidents relating to the launch of ballistic missiles, in addition to its interim and final reports. That is especially relevant in light of the missile-launching activities that have been reported since the beginning of the year. We believe that the Panel is the technical and impartial body that should provide information expeditiously on the type of missiles, the technology and the capacities involved in those launches in order to establish, without any room for doubt, whether those actions violated the relevant Council resolutions.

I now give the floor to Ms. DiCarlo. Ms. DiCarlo: The State news agency of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has reported that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at approximately 2.34 p.m. local time on 24 March. The missile, the so-called Hwasong-17, was reportedly launched from Sunan, an area north of Pyongyang. it covered a range of 1,090 kilometres and reached an apogee around 6,200 kilometres. It made impact in the sea within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The last time the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea conducted an ICBM test was on 29 November 2017. The Secretary-General strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s latest ICBM launch. It is a flagrant breach of the Democratic People’s Republic’s own 2018 moratorium and a clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. This launch risks triggering a significant escalation of tensions in the region and beyond. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has conducted 12 launches using ballistic-missile technology this year alone. This is the fifth time in 2022 that the Secretariat has been asked to brief the Council in this regard. According to public statements by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the launches involved, among other things, a test of so-called hypersonic weapons, railway-borne missiles, an intermediate-range ballistic missile and tests of systems related to the development of so-called military reconnaissance satellites. It should be recalled that, in resolution 2397 (2017), the Security Council reaffirmed its decisions that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shall not conduct any further launches using ballistic-missile technology. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea did not issue airspace or maritime safety notifications for any of these launches. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has repeatedly informed the Democratic People’s Republic that unannounced missile launches represent a serious risk to international civil aviation. ICAO has also called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to act in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea also appears to be actively pursuing its nuclear programme. On 7 March, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that there were “ongoing indications consistent with the operation of the 5-megawatt reactor at the Yongbyon site”. The IAEA added that it continued to observe construction activities at the Yongbyon site, including the construction of an annex to the reported centrifuge enrichment facility. The same day, satellite-imagery analysis indicated that there was renewed activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear-test site for the first time since Pyongyang announced its closure and dismantlement in 2018. In pursuing its nuclear-capability and ballistic- missile programmes, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is defying the repeated demands of the Council to cease such activities. We have consistently conveyed these concerns to the Democratic People’s Republic. The Secretary-General reiterates the importance of addressing humanitarian imperatives in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The United Nations remains engaged and stands ready, along with its humanitarian partners, to assist people in need in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, whose vulnerability has likely increased since the pandemic outbreak and border closures in 2020. We reiterate our call for the entry of international staff, including the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies, to allow for a timely and effective response. The Secretary-General reaffirms his commitment to working with all parties for sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. He urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with the decisions of the Security Council, reset the course to dialogue and build on previous diplomatic efforts. Further, the United Nations welcomes the regular contact and cooperation among the key parties on the Korean peninsula. We commend the parties for their willingness to engage in dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea without preconditions. Let me close by reiterating that the unity of the Security Council in this matter is essential to ease tensions, overcome the diplomatic impasse and avoid a negative action-reaction cycle.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. The United States, along with Albania, France, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom, calls for today’s open meeting on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the first since 2017, because of the urgency of the escalating situation. Let me be crystal clear: the United States absolutely condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s intercontinental-ballistic-missile (ICBM) launch on 24 March. This launch violated multiple Security Council resolutions. It was an egregious and unprovoked escalation and poses a threat to the global proliferation regime and the entire international community. This launch warrants an immediate response from the Council. This is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s thirteenth ballistic-missile launch this year. The United States and allies assessed that two of these previous launches were also of ICBM systems. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s long-range ballistic-missile system can threaten nearly every State Member of the United Nations. Although the Democratic People’s Republic tried to mask recent launches under the guise of supporting a reconnaissance satellite, the 24 March launch unequivocally demonstrates the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s intent to continue to advance its long-range ballistic-missile systems. Council members may have also seen media reports that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is reconstructing a nuclear-testing site that has been closed since 2018. The imagery and the analysis are alarming. It is therefore clear that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has escalated its provocations with impunity, while the Council has remained silent. And it is clear that remaining silent, in the hope that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would similarly show restraint, is a failed strategy. We must pivot to a successful one. The Security Council must speak publicly and with one voice to condemn the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful actions and encourage the country to return to the negotiating table. The United States remains committed to a diplomatic solution. We hope the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will accept our repeated offers of dialogue, but we also cannot stand idly by in the face of the Democratic People’s Republic’s repeated Security Council resolution violations. We have also heard recent calls for sanctions relief for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, but why should the Security Council reward bad behaviour? The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has broken its self-imposed moratorium on launching ICBMs and has repeatedly shown that it is more interested in advancing its unlawful weapons programme than in investing in the welfare of its own people. This is not my opinion, and it is not a secret. At its 2021 Party Congress, the regime itself openly outlined this strategy to develop increasingly sophisticated and advanced weapons-of- mass-destruction and ballistic-missile capabilities. Offering sanctions relief without substantive diplomatic progress would only funnel more revenue to the regime and accelerate the realization of its weapons- of-mass-destruction and ballistic-weapons goals. It also sends the wrong message to other proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, namely, that the Security Council will reward them for repeatedly undermining the non-proliferation regime. Meanwhile, the sanctions regime has undeniably restricted the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea unlawful weapons advancements, so now is not the time to end our sanctions; now is the time to enforce them. The United States calls on all Member States to fully implement the existing Security Council resolutions, and, because of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a draft Security Council resolution under Chapter VII to update and strengthen the sanctions regime. In resolution 2397 (2017), which we adopted unanimously, the Council decided that we would take further action in the event of an ICBM launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, This is precisely what happened, so now is the time to take that action. No matter what sanctions regimes require regular updating and maintenance to be effective, now is the time to make these critical updates. I therefore call on all my fellow Council members to approach the negotiations on a text constructively towards our shared goal of denuclearization. This is not a bilateral issue. It is not a regional issue. It is an issue for all of us. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and its ballistic-missile delivery system pose a threat to every member of the global community. History, especially recent history, has shown us that Council silence and sanctions relief do not work. Instead, we must come together, just like we did in 2016 and 2017, to send an unequivocal message to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that the Security Council and the international community will not ignore its flagrant violations of Security Council resolutions and its wilful disregard for regional and global stability Let us act now before the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea escalates further to send the message that the Security Council will not waver in its responsibility to protect the world from weapons of mass destruction and maintain international peace and security.

I thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo for her update. We are sad that it confirms our assessment that the Pyongyang regime is continuously, stubbornly, unilaterally and dangerously escalating tension in the region, threatening its neighbours, snubbing the Security Council and violating the Council’s resolutions. This is intolerable. This is the thirteenth missile launch this year in the very same pattern of defiance. In a previous meeting, we asked: Is there a threshold of defiance and contempt of this organ before we come together and speak with one voice? The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea might think that the attention of the Council is elsewhere. It is mistaken. We will condemn its reckless actions, and we will not let this or any of its other provocations go unnoticed. The defiant attitude and renegade acts of the Pyongyang regime must be met by a united and resolved Council with an open and determined response. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must be told in clear terms that it cannot defy the international community and that it cannot disrespect Security Council resolutions. Resolutions are not to be contemplated; they are to be implemented. That is why Albania joined others in requesting this public meeting today. The Council cannot continue to meet behind closed doors. It has shown patience, but it has been met with indifference by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Therefore, the regime must know that we will not accept such behaviour and that it will be held accountable for such flagrant breaches of international law. The failure of the Council to denounce such unlawful acts will only serve to encourage the regime in Pyongyang to continue to blackmail its neighbours, threaten the region and endanger the wider world. Inaction is tantamount to tacit approval. As we have said before, it is a license to do more of the same. The latest launch is a new level of provocation. It represents another and repeated breach of its self-announced moratorium of 2018. Albania strongly condemns such provocative acts and aggressive actions. We call on the regime to stop and return to the negotiation table, urgently and without preconditions. We have just adopted resolution 2627 (2022), renewing the mandate of the Panel of Experts. The repeated missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea require comprehensive and timely analysis from the Panel of Experts and incident reports of any breach of Security Council resolutions by the regime. We look forward to working with the Panel in this regard. While the regime is investing millions in research into its ballistic programmes, its population continues to starve, isolated from the world, as it keeps its people undereducated and inflicts untold poverty, pain and suffering upon women, men and children throughout the country. The regime needs to also be held accountable for its mistreatment of the population, human rights violations, slavery and economic starvation. The population needs food. The regime is giving them weapons  — weapons that go higher, faster and further, starving the population and threatening the region. But make no mistake — missiles will not make North Korea any stronger or better. They will rather make it more isolated and poorer, as is unfortunately and regrettably the case. The catastrophic humanitarian situation will not be resolved by itself. The Pyongyang regime must allow unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance in the country, which requires unfettered access for international staff, including the Resident Coordinator. It is high time for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to return to the negotiation table for an unconditional and meaningful dialogue through diplomacy, not provocations. We encourage all members of the Council to show unity. That means issuing common, simple and factual press elements. Our goal is and must remain a complete, comprehensive, irreversible and verifiable denuclearization of the entire Korean peninsula.

I thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo for her useful briefing. Ireland condemns yesterday’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We are gravely concerned about the ongoing, intensive and escalatory series of launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea since the end of last year, in violation of Security Council resolutions. The ICBM launch represents a serious escalation in the continuing destabilizing actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It is designed to raise tensions, threatening the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the wider region, as well as to undermine the global non-proliferation architecture. It is a further, flagrant challenge to the serious concerns of the international community and the authority of the Council. The launches are all the more worrisome given the continuing nuclear activities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Council has been silent too long. It must speak now with a clear, strong and unified voice to make clear to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that it cannot continue down this path without repercussions. We therefore strongly support a Council press statement on the matter. We must be clear that further ballistic missile tests or a nuclear test are utterly unacceptable. We must together urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to end its destabilizing activities. We must together press the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take up the good-faith offers of talks by the United States and South Korea, without preconditions. And we must together hold the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to its obligations to abandon its ballistic-missile programme and its nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should also heed the Council’s long-standing calls to resume its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. The Council has been clear in resolution 2397 (2017) that it has a responsibility to act in response to an ICBM launch, and we will need to look at appropriate actions. We must counter the sophisticated sanctions evasion efforts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which fund and assist procurement for the country’s illegal programmes. The Council’s resolutions, including those relating to the sanctions regime established by resolution 1718 (2006), must be fully and effectively enforced. The Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) has repeatedly, with detailed evidence, set out important recommendations, including on designations of the vessels and entities involved and the need to update relevant control lists. We must act urgently on these recommendations. Finally, we again urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respond to the concerns and offers of assistance from the international community regarding the dire humanitarian situation in the country. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to allow access for the United Nations and other humanitarian actors to assess needs and provide appropriate assistance. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has, over the past 30 years, prioritized its illegal military programmes over the livelihoods, well-being and rights of its own citizens, with disastrous consequences for its own people. It is clear that there must be a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the issues on the Korean peninsula. Unfortunately, it appears that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea alone does not understand this. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must respond concretely and credibly to the concerns of the international community. It will then find the Security Council in a position to reciprocate with concrete measures. It is, as it has always been, in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s hands.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. France condemns in the strongest terms the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea on 24 March. This launch represents a threat to international peace and security. It is a new violation of the Council’s resolutions. This provocation is the most serious in nearly five years. It is the twelfth series of launches since the beginning of the year. By ending the moratorium on long-range missiles, the North Korean regime has clearly chosen escalation. It is essential that the Council unanimously condemn this provocation. North Korea has just tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile that is probably more powerful than those tested in 2017. The Council must act. We cannot allow a violation of this magnitude to go unanswered. Doing nothing would pose a major risk to regional stability and the international non-proliferation architecture. Since the adoption of resolution 1718 (2006) in 2006, North Korea has steadily updated its ballistic arsenal. At the same time, it has strengthened its nuclear programme. We must recall that North Korea has already conducted six nuclear tests and has announced its intention to develop tactical nuclear weapons. We are very concerned about reports of construction activities at the Punggye-ri nuclear testing site. In the face of these repeated provocations, it would not make sense to ease sanctions. What is needed is to put in place a sanctions regime that is stronger and more effective. Currently, North Korea is circumventing these sanctions. It is finding ways to finance its weapons programmes. We should therefore update the sanctions regime, including in new areas, such as on cyber issues, which allows North Korea to obtain information and currency on the order of hundreds of millions of euros. That must be stopped. France urges North Korea to commit to a process of complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its weapons of mass destruction programmes. We also call for a resumption of dialogue. All actors in the region should invest in this. North Korea must seize the proposals made in this regard. In conclusion, I stress our concern about the humanitarian situation in North Korea. We regret that the North Korean regime continues to use the bulk of its limited resources to develop its proliferation programmes instead of meeting the basic needs of its people.

I thank Under-Secretary- General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. Norway strongly condemns the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 24 March. The continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a direct threat to regional and international peace and security and is in violation of several Security Council resolutions. We deeply regret that this latest launch — along with the tests on 27 February and 5 March — leaves no doubt that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has ended its moratorium on such tests. It also falls into a pattern of numerous missile tests over the past months, including a variety of missiles and technologies. These are cause for great concern. We continue to stress that the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must comply fully with its international obligations, reverse its course and rejoin the international non-proliferation regime through the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. The behaviour and threats of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have reached a new magnitude, and we are concerned that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will continue to escalate its illegal activities. Previous reports by the Panel of Experts Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) show the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s high level of commitment to sustaining and further developing its weapons of mass destruction programmes. The current path not only threatens international peace and security, but also aggravates an already deteriorating economic, humanitarian and human rights situation within the country. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s desire to develop nuclear capacities and missile systems does not contribute to the future of the North Korean people. It keeps them stuck in the past. We are profoundly sad to see that the Government continues to channel its resources to weapons development instead of delivering basic services to its own people. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to end its self-imposed blockade and allow the United Nations, its Resident Coordinator and other international organizations to re-enter and resume their humanitarian work. And we call on North Korea to respond to repeated offers of dialogue and to take concrete steps to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. Until concrete steps are taken, the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council must remain in force and be fully implemented by all States. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): I join others in thanking Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. The United Kingdom condemns the test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by North Korea on 24 March, as well as tests of new ICBM capabilities on 27 Feb and 5 March. This year alone, 13 ballistic missiles have been launched across 10 sets of tests  — each a violation of Security Council resolutions. We are deeply concerned by the increased tempo of these launches and the growing capability they represent. Let there be no doubt  — the clear threat that North Korea poses to international security is increasing. These violations of Security Council resolutions should be met with a firm and united response from the Council. The last time North Korea launched ICBMs in 2017, the Council responded decisively by adopting resolution 2371 (2017). We look to the Security Council to display the same unity and resolve to protect the safety of this and future generations as it displayed then. We look forward to constructive discussions on further measures proposed by the United States of America. We should urgently therefore consider further steps that the Security Council can take, including updated and targeted sanctions, to disrupt North Korea’s unlawful testing and illicit proliferation. We call on all Member States to implement fully the Security Council’s resolutions and enforce sanctions unanimously adopted in order to limit North Korea’s illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. As the North Korean Government continues to pour resources into weapons programmes, the humanitarian situation in the country may be worsening. The United Kingdom is clear that the Council’s measures against these illicit weapons programmes, including sanctions, are not targeted at the North Korean people. We fully support the delivery of humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable in North Korean society. We call upon North Korea to allow United Nations humanitarian workers to carry out an independent needs assessment and to allow aid to flow freely into the country. We urge North Korea to refrain from further provocations, engage meaningfully with the United States in dialogue and abandon all of its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

I thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting today. We thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. We also welcome the participation of Japan and the Republic of Korea in today’s meeting. We have noted the concerns expressed by countries of the region on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). India deplores the country’s launch of an ICBM. It is a violation of the resolutions of the Security Council relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and affects the peace and security of the region and beyond. Further, the launch contravenes Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s own self- declared moratorium against the launch of ICBMs and goes against the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, an objective endorsed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea itself. We call for the full implementation of all Security Council resolutions related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Council has met several times since the beginning of the year to discuss the series of missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In that context, we would like to recall our request to the Panel of Experts under the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) for incident reports on those launches in the context of the relevant Council resolutions. We hope that the Panel will soon issue reports in that connection. India also believes that there is a pressing need to address the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in our region. These linkages have an adverse impact on peace and security in the region, including on India. India supports dialogue to resolve the issues on the Korean peninsula. India is sensitive to the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. That is why we granted humanitarian assistance of $1 million for its people in the form of anti-tuberculosis medicines, routed through the World Health Organization. We also note that the 1718 Sanctions Committee has been extending approvals for humanitarian assistance, as and when they are received. Finally, India reiterates its continued support to denuclearization efforts in order to achieve peace and security on the Korean peninsula.

I listened carefully to the briefing of Under-Secretary- General Rosemary DiCarlo. The situation on the Korean peninsula has long been an important item on the Council’s agenda. Over the past few years, we have witnessed, by and large, detente on the peninsula thanks to the efforts of various parties concerned. It is a hard-won achievement. The leaders of the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have met a number of times since 2018. Through those meetings, they reached important consensus on improving their bilateral relations and advancing the peninsula’s denuclearization process. It was on that basis that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea pledged a moratorium on nuclear tests and test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which marked a major step forward towards the peninsula’s denuclearization. However, beginning in 2021 and, in particular, in May 2021, the dialogue between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea became deadlocked and has remained that way. The denuclearization process was marking time and more variables were added to the mix, causing tensions to rise and reversing the detente. As the peninsula’s next door neighbour, China has been consistent in advocating and promoting the peninsula’s peace and stability, denuclearization and the approach of seeking a solution through dialogue and consultation. We had hoped that the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would actively pursue dialogue and engagement in search of an effective solution to manage and settle their differences. Regrettably, that did not occur. Days and months elapsed while the relevant parties failed to take concrete, practical actions in response to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s justified concerns — other than speaking about “talks without preconditions”. Now that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has announced an ICBM test launch, China is concerned about how things are evolving. Under the current circumstances, we call on the parties concerned to stay calm, exercise restraint, stay on the right track of dialogue and consultation and avoid taking any action that may exacerbate tensions and lead to misjudgments. The direct parties to the peninsula issue, namely the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, should re-engage in direct talks without delay. It is right and proper for the United States side to show its goodwill, take actions that are of practical relevance and work harder to stabilize the situation, build mutual trust and relaunch dialogue. Given the evolving situation before us, the international community should resort to prudence and reason on the peninsula issue and play a positive, constructive role in bringing about a political solution. First, we should do all we can to maintain the peninsula’s peace and stability, which must be treasured. Right now, all is not quiet on the international front. No party should take any action that could lead to greater tensions, and the peninsula cannot afford the risk of any dramatic change, much less a reversal of the situation, with dire consequences. What needs to happen now, as a matter of urgency, is for the parties concerned to actively seek a political way out of the impasse on the basis of existing understandings in the light of the latest developments. China calls on the parties to put the greater good of peace and stability on the peninsula first, speak and act with caution, pursue dialogue and consultation, take the dual-track approach guided by the principle of moving forward in phases, with synchronized steps, and work tirelessly to denuclearize the peninsula and build a peace mechanism thereon. Secondly, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s justified concerns must be addressed. The peninsula issue, fraught with ups and downs, has remained unresolved for decades. There is a reason that the situation has come to where it is today. The crux of the matter is that external security threats to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have persisted for decades, and its justified security concerns have remained unaddressed throughout the process. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has made it clear that “following the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea-United States summits, the United States side, instead of honouring its promise to stop joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea, went ahead and deployed its strategic nuclear weapons in the surrounding areas of the Korean peninsula, putting the security of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in serious jeopardy”. Those pronouncements by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ought to be taken seriously by the parties concerned and the Council ought to consider how to accommodate the country’s justified security concerns, in keeping with the principle of indivisible security. Thirdly, the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must resume direct talks as soon as possible. Facts have shown time and again that dialogue and diplomacy up front is the only way to avert a crisis. Allowing the situation to go down a slippery slope is not in anyone’s interest. Starting in 2018, there was a major positive turnaround in the peninsula situation. Regrettably, a range of steps taken by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were not duly reciprocated. This is not consistent with the principle of “action for action” that forms part of their consensus. It also reveals all the offers of dialogue for what they are — mere jingles that ring hollow. Where things are headed going forward depends, to a large extent, on what the United States is going to do. Is it going to come up with concrete actions that can actually solve problems, or is it going to continue using the issue as a bargaining chip in its geopolitical strategy? The United States must not continue to brush aside the justified demands of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It should offer an attractive proposal to pave the way for an early resumed dialogue. Fourthly, it is imperative to interpret and implement the Security Council resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in a comprehensive manner. Those resolutions should be implemented completely and accurately. Advancing a political solution and easing the sanctions at appropriate times are also important aspects of the resolutions. The fact that the issue on the peninsula is deadlocked is to some degree attributable to the absence of effective implementation of certain provisions therein. The parties concerned should take this issue seriously and take practical actions rather than put one-sided emphasis on the sanctions provisions. The Council should play a constructive role when it comes to the issue of the peninsula. It should not stress the need for sanctions and pressurization to the exclusion of all other considerations. The China-Russia draft resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea serves one purpose and one purpose only, that is, to ease the humanitarian and livelihood situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, create an enabling atmosphere for greater trust between the parties with a view to dialogue, and thereby give rise to an impetus for a political solution to the issue of the peninsula. The draft resolution is still valid. We encourage all parties to give it positive consideration and the support that it deserves. It is in the common interests of all countries to safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. At this important juncture, where the Korean peninsula nuclear issue persists, certain countries, ignoring the concerns of the international community, stubbornly went ahead with cooperation on nuclear- powered submarines, which poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation. That runs counter to the purposes and principles of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, harms regional peace and stability and undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. China urges the countries concerned to faithfully fulfil their non-proliferation obligations and to play a constructive role in promoting the resolution of hot-button non-proliferation issues and maintaining regional peace and stability.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo. I wish to start to thank by expressing our concern about the need for the Security Council to meet once again, this time in a public meeting, in response to the launch of another ballistic missile, yesterday, on 24 March, by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. This is yet another provocation, although it is qualitatively different because we are talking about an intercontinental longer-range missile than those previously launched. Mexico condemns in the strongest terms the launching of missiles in violation of the decisions of the Security Council. Such actions, far from contributing to the possibility of a diplomatic solution, only fuel distrust and undermine regional security. The implications for international peace and security of that launch cannot be looked at in an isolated manner. We wish to express our concern about the pattern of actions that simply confirm that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is continuing to move ahead with its intended actions and to develop its technological capacity for military purposes. It is clear that the sanctions that the Council has imposed to curb the nuclear and ballistic programme of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are not working, as has, unfortunately, been confirmed by the reports of the Panel of Experts. The International Atomic Energy Agency has also reported the restart of nuclear activity, with resulting obvious concern on the part of the international community. The Security Council has a duty to uphold its decisions and to restrict all pathways to the acquisition and proliferation of nuclear and missile technology. That is why I wish to reiterate my country’s commitment to the full implementation of the sanctions regime. I also appeal to all Member States to implement the relevant resolutions more strictly and to adhere to established mechanisms. We call for maximum restraint and stress the need for dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leading to the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Actors with influence, including members of the Council, should spare no effort to establish such a dialogue. We also believe that in addition to bilateral contacts, it would be advisable to explore multilateral formats involving all concerned regional actors. I conclude by recalling what was said by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, namely, that there are no right hands for bad weapons. I also take this opportunity to reiterate our call to abide unequivocally by the commitments undertaken in the area of disarmament by those States that possess nuclear weapons, with a view to creating a world free from nuclear weapons.

I thank you, Madam President, for having convened this open meeting. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing to the Council and welcome the representatives of Japan and the Republic of Korea to this meeting. We are meeting today under heavy clouds of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the wider North-East Asia region. Those tensions have been occasioned not only by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s launch of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) yesterday but also by its 11 previous launches of ballistic missiles this year alone. The fact that the Council has agreed to hold an open meeting after six closed consultations since the beginning of the year shows the grave concern that the international community has in connection with the situation. The present missile launch represents an end to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s self- imposed moratorium on ICBM tests and the first long- range ICBM test since 2017. The implications of this new development for international peace and security, including for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s immediate neighbours, are grave, and we all must acknowledge that. Equally worrying is the fact that the launch was carried out without regard for aviation or maritime safety. Ghana is therefore gravely concerned about this current launch, which is in blatant violation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s international obligations as expressed in multiple Security Council resolutions. The reported intention of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to develop a nuclear- war deterrent in preparation for a long-standing confrontation with another Member State runs counter to its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons regime and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which enjoin all Member States to be peace-loving. The actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula at a time when the international community is focused on finding a pathway for dialogue and diplomacy to address the worrying developments in Ukraine and their consequences. In that regard, we urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to refrain from further missile test launches and to take the urgent steps necessary to ease tensions in the region. We also reiterate our call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to adhere to the relevant Security Council resolutions. The world can ill afford to have multiple crises at this time, when we are still grappling with many deaths on both sides of the war in Ukraine, the displacement of more than 10 million people from that country and the transmission of the shocks of food and energy insecurity across several parts of the world, with an associated rise in the cost of living. Ghana therefore reiterates its call for the resumption of a constructive and credible dialogue between the relevant parties and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to find an enduring, comprehensive and peaceful solution to the issues on the Korean peninsula, in a manner that recognizes regional and global security concerns as well as those of the parties. In that regard, we encourage the United States to sustain its offer of dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea without preconditions and urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to accept the offer in good faith, in support of the cause of peace. It is worth noting that while tensions on the Korean peninsula are high, the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to be dire. Ghana commends the Council and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) for their proactive approach in addressing the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea within the framework of exemptions in the existing sanctions regime, and it calls on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to streamline its internal processes to enable the much-needed medical and other humanitarian supplies to reach the people of the country. We also urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to allow United Nations humanitarian agencies back into the country. We support the efforts of the United Nations system to re-establish the banking channel in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We hope that the Council and other relevant parties will be able to act in a manner that preserves peace while, at the same time, ensuring that the humanitarian needs of the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are addressed.

I thank Under-Secretary- General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing and welcome the participation of the Republic of Korea and Japan. Kenya is gravely concerned about the most recent intercontinental ballistic missile test launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in clear violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. This thirteenth test launch since the beginning of the year clearly demonstrates an escalation of the situation on the Korean peninsula. Indeed, regrettably, the prospects for resuming the testing of nuclear weapons are increasing by the day. Moreover, the launches carried out, without notifying the relevant maritime and aviation regulatory bodies, pose a serious threat to maritime and air safety. The successive provocative acts are driving the region into an arms race, with attendant destabilization effects and grave implications for global peace and security. With the prevailing security situation already posing serious socioeconomic and security challenges, particularly in developing countries, the international community can ill afford another crisis. Regrettably, the escalation of armaments also diverts resources from the much-needed social protection and development for the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Kenya calls on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to halt any further test launches and recommit to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. We reiterate that the only path acceptable to the international community is that of genuine dialogue, without preconditions. It is dialogue that considers the interests and perceptions of threat of all parties in the region. In that regard, Kenya urges the international community to help restart diplomatic efforts in order to find a lasting solution to the threat on the Korean peninsula, for the sake of global security. Amid that development, we call upon all parties concerned to spare a thought for the humanitarian plight of approximately 11 million citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea who are in need. Both sides have a responsibility to ensure that any actions they take do not exacerbate the suffering of the people. However, it is up to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to demonstrate its commitment in that regard by ceasing its ballistic missile programme.

I thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. Yesterday, 24 March, North Korea launched an unidentified projectile. It was the thirteenth such launch since the start of the year, which demonstrates not only an increase in the frequency of the launches but also an increase in the power and range of projectiles. With that development, North Korea has followed through on its threat to renege on its commitment to its moratorium on long-range missile testing, which could undermine the confidence-building measures agreed by the sides during negotiations in 2017. Gabon condemns the launches, as well as the use of weapons or military material that could have indiscriminate effects. I reiterate my country’s commitment to international conventions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, in particular the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, as well as to respect for Council resolutions aimed at preserving international peace and security. My country is very concerned about the exponential deterioration of the international security climate, which, in the light of the current situation, points to an arms race, in particular in unconventional arms. That further strengthens our conviction that weapons that are manufactured to be used in conflicts are not instruments of peace and security and, by nature, cannot provide sufficient deterrence to contribute to international peace and security; quite the opposite. Lessons must be urgently drawn from the inability of sanctions to offer an appropriate and effective response, given the potential threat that missile launches pose in this densely populated area, as well as the extreme suffering of the civilian population in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. My country calls on the various parties to resume dialogue on the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and to focus on finding a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the crisis. For us, that is the only credible option to bring about development and peace in the region.

We thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. Russia stands against any military activity that poses a threat to the security of the Korean peninsula and the States of North-East Asia. We deplore the recent developments in the region. We are convinced that the quest for mutually acceptable diplomatic solutions is the only way to peacefully resolve the issues on the Korean peninsula and establish a stable security mechanism in North-East Asia. That should be our main goal, which, once achieved, will normalize the situation in the region. We note with regret that, over the past four years, the Security Council has been unable to respond to the dismantling by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of its nuclear test site, as well as to its compliance with the moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic testing. In each if its resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from 2006 onwards, the Council has expressed its readiness to review the restrictions, depending on the level of Pyongyang’s compliance with the provisions of the relevant documents. Regrettably, to date, the Security Council has only strengthened these restrictions, while ignoring the positive signals from North Korea. Therefore, to a large extent, the current developments are but the consequence of the short-sightedness of some colleagues present today, who are unable to move beyond the limits of a sanctions-based paradigm, which for several years has been unable to guarantee security in the region. We have seen no other viable initiatives from them. We believe that the further strengthening of sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would overstep the framework of measures that curb the funding of banned nuclear and missile programmes and expose the people of North Korea to unacceptable socioeconomic and humanitarian turmoil. We remind our American colleagues that negotiations are a two-way street. There is no point waiting for Pyongyang to disarm without conditions, when in return it receives only unsubstantiated promises as guarantees. The establishment of new military alliances in the region, such as the trilateral security pact among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, casts serious doubts about the good intentions of those countries, including from the perspective of Pyongyang. Such alliances do not help foster dialogue. We have repeatedly stressed that it is essential to create spaces that provide integrated and indivisible security. Lasting results cannot be achieved if the legitimate security concerns of the States of the region are not taken into account. The institutions and mechanisms of the United Nations and the Security Council should be utilized to support settlement processes and intra-Korean dialogue and should not be an obstacle to them. Only then would we be able to discuss the effective resolution of the problems that have accumulated in the region, including the nuclear issue, on the basis of dialogue and mutually acceptable agreements. Sanctions and pressure will hardly help to achieve that. Further resentment has also been caused by the so-called autonomous secondary sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and other States that have been imposed by Washington and its allies, in circumvention of and in addition to Security Council sanctions. Unilateral restrictions undermine not only the sovereignty and legal interests of Member States, contradicting the norms and rules of international trade, but also the integrity of the limitations agreed within the Security Council. It is unacceptable to attempt to enshrine those restrictions through the Security Council’s authority or that of its Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). In that connection, we call on all parties to exercise restraint and reaffirm their readiness to renew dialogue in line with the agreements that have already been reached and the commitments entered into. A Russian-Chinese political and humanitarian draft is still on the table. It would help provide the parties with the impetus to enter into negotiations. We wish to note that the lack of progress on the political track  — part of which could be served by the draft resolution I have just mentioned — would then threaten to further exacerbate tensions in the Korean peninsula, which is unfortunately what we have witnessed in recent months.

Let me thank Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo for once again coming to brief the Council on this file. Brazil strongly condemns the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. That is a flagrant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions and a clear breach of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s own moratorium on ICBM launches. In January, North Korea broke the record for most launches in a single month. Now, it appears to have broken yet another ominous record, as that seems to be the longest-reaching missile ever launched by Pyongyang. The pattern of escalation is self-evident. First came multiple short-range ballistic missile launches, then intermediate-range artifacts. A few weeks ago, we witnessed alleged launches of reconnaissance satellites, which were rehearsals for yesterday’s launch. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the Council to avoid any risks of nuclear testing in violation of its resolutions and international treaties. The issue becomes all the more pressing at a time when different countries are emphasizing the relevance of nuclear weapons in their defence doctrines and deterrence strategies. The Security Council must work tirelessly and transparently in order to pave the way for the de-escalation of tensions and for a sustainable solution to the matter. It is our common responsibility to halt any further escalation. The Council should be proactive and point in the direction of dialogue and effective negotiations. We call upon the key actors in the region to redouble efforts to engage with Pyongyang with a view to bringing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea back to the negotiating table. The Council should stand ready to support such a course of action. In the same vein, we cannot condone inaction on the issue of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear programme. We must strive to find a platform for dialogue to push forward the realization of the transparent, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We avail ourselves of this opportunity to once again call upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to review its nuclear status, join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear- weapon State, and accede to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty without delay.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United Arab Emirates. I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, for her valuable briefing. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to demonstrate its disregard for international law by resuming missile tests in September. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has launched 13 ballistic missiles since the beginning of this year alone, including the recent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Accordingly, the United Arab Emirates condemns, in the strongest terms, those missile tests, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions. We also support the statement issued by the Secretary- General yesterday regarding the recent escalation by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. While we express our deep concern over the continued escalation by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in the absence of deterrent measures by the Security Council for those violations, we stress the importance of the Council’s unity in responding to that dangerous escalation, which, we repeat, undermines regional security on the Korean peninsula and affects international security and stability. At this critical juncture, my country reiterates the importance of pursuing peaceful solutions and giving priority to dialogue and diplomatic endeavours to avoid further escalation. In that regard, we commend the diplomatic efforts to resume dialogue and we strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respond positively to those endeavours and return to the negotiating table without preconditions. We also emphasize the importance, in this critical situation, of the key parties finding a common formula to define an acceptable framework for moving forward. While the decision-makers in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continue to devote their country’s limited resources to developing nuclear and missile capabilities, the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continue to suffer in the difficult humanitarian situation caused largely by their country’s policies. We therefore urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to alleviate the growing human suffering of its people by providing for their basic needs and necessities and by cooperating with the United Nations to allow its humanitarian personnel to return to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and carry out their work. In conclusion, my country reiterates that compliance with and the full implementation of Security Council resolutions by all Member States remain an essential pillar for maintaining international peace and security. For its part, the United Arab Emirates affirms its continued cooperation with members of the Security Council to address regional and international proliferation threats. The United Arab Emirates also understands concerns related to the development and supply of ballistic missiles and their role in undermining regional security. The Council should be able to address those concerns. I resume my functions as President of the Council. The representative of the United States of America has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

Some of our colleagues are trying to frame this as a United States-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea problem; it is a threat that impacts all of us and it is our collective responsibility to respond. In terms of the humanitarian impact of sanctions, the experts have repeatedly told us that the primary barrier to sending humanitarian assistance into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the country’s self-imposed border closures, not international sanctions, as some of our colleagues have alleged. The United States remains committed to addressing the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is why we have offered to discuss those issues with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea directly. However, we have yet to receive a response. We have also continued to support the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) in its swift processing of sanctions exemptions to aid organizations and it is why we are now working closely with the Secretariat to establish a reliable banking channel. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to commit to the well-being of its own people by respecting human rights, defunding its unlawful weapons-of-mass-destruction and ballistic-missile programmes and prioritizing the needs of vulnerable North Koreans. The draft resolution that China and Russia have proposed is predicated on their assessment that Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is showing goodwill through a moratorium, as understood by the People’s Republic of China and Russia, on intermediate-range ballistic-missile and intercontinental-ballistic-missile (ICBM) and nuclear tests. In addition to its 30 January launch, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has now ignored its own moratorium on ICBM tests three times, with the 27 February, 5 March and 24 March ICBM launches. In the light of these escalating provocations and a return to testing long-range systems, the purported impetus for the draft resolution is no longer valid. We need quickly to return to strengthening the sanctions regime established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), and not to considering sanctions relief. And, finally, on the new enhanced trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS, although I do not want to stray from the serious matter at hand, I do want to correct the erroneous claims about it. The AUKUS initiative is to provide conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. It does not include nuclear-armed submarines. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) does not prohibit naval nuclear propulsion, and Australia does not and will not seek nuclear weapons consistent with its NPT obligations as a non-nuclear-weapon State. We take our NPT commitments very seriously, which also drives our strong support for the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

The representative of the United Kingdom has asked for the floor to make a further statement. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): As we have discussed, North Korea’s illegal nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes are in violation of numerous Security Council resolutions. The trilateral cooperation between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom will be fully consistent with the three parties’ respective non-proliferation obligations and will be pursued in a manner that preserves the integrity of the non-proliferation regime. We remain fully committed to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and worldwide.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.

Let me begin by thanking the President for convening today’s emergency meeting of the Security Council. I appreciate this opportunity to participate in the Council’s discussions to address the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s intercontinental-ballistic-missile (ICBM) launch on 24 March. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. The Republic of Korea condemns in the strongest terms the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s ICBM launch, which constitutes a flagrant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. It poses a serious threat to the Korean peninsula, the region and the international community. It is also a significant threat to the global non-proliferation regime. This launch means that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has reneged on its own commitment to the moratorium on ICBM tests that it had announced in April 2018. We welcome the Secretary-General’s strong statement yesterday and look forward to a firm and united response by the Security Council. My delegation also expresses his support for the United States initiative to pursue a new draft resolution in response to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s ICBM launch and calls on other members of the Council to join in this effort. Despite the international community’s repeated calls for de-escalation and dialogue, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has, in the last couple of months, continued its provocative activities, as evidenced through countless ballistic-missile launches. Reports on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s movements to restore its nuclear-test site and its ongoing nuclear-related activities, are all deeply concerning. They must stop immediately. Throughout the past few years, my Government has spared no effort to restart dialogue with North Korea to seek progress towards the complete denuclearization of and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. We have offered to hold dialogue at the time and place and in the format that North Korea prefers. My Government has also expressed its willingness to support North Korea in responding to the global pandemic. Regrettably, all of these sincere efforts have been met not only with a cold silence, but also with continued provocations. Let me be clear. No one harbours any hostile policy towards Pyongyang, nor is there any reason to do so. We strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to refrain from further provocations, fulfil its obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Republic of Korea and the United States towards the denuclearization of and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. We also call for all States Members of the United Nations to fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and continue to support a peaceful and diplomatic solution for the Korean peninsula. My Government firmly believes that dialogue and cooperation is the only possible way forward, regardless of the hurdles we face. Our commitment to improving inter-Korean relations remains unchanged. The door for dialogue remains open. We strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to choose the path of engagement and cooperation instead of confrontation and escalation. The Republic of Korea, along with the international community, stands ready to work constructively with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to make a better future for us all, if the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is willing to do so as well.

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

I also thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. Yesterday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile in the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) class, which flew an estimated 1,100 kilometres with an apogee of an estimated 6,000 kilometres, the longest reach of any North Korean launch to date. It splashed down in the Japanese exclusive economic zone (EEZ), just 150 kilometres from Japanese soil. Japan strongly condemns this dangerous and destabilizing act. It endangered vessels in our exclusive economic zone and exposed aircraft in the surrounding area to great safety risks. It poses an imminent and grave threat to Japan’s security. This is yet another serious violation of multiple resolutions adopted unanimously by the Security Council. It increases proliferation risks in every corner of the world and threatens international peace and security. This is a clear escalation. We need concrete and immediate action by the Council. Let me make three points. First, the latest launch is the first full-scale launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile since November 2017. Japan was a non-permanent member of Council at that time, and we recall that the event led to the subsequent adoption of resolution 2397 (2017). The resolution stipulates that if the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea conducts a launch of a ballistic missile system capable of reaching intercontinental range, the Council will take action to restrict further the export to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of petroleum. I urge the Council to follow up and do what it has already agreed to do. In that regard, I welcome the initiative to introduce a new resolution. Secondly, none North Korea’s repeated missile launches can be viewed in isolation. They are part of its reinvigorated nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea has publicly declared that it intends to acquire various weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons. Those wilful and repeated violations of Council resolutions are partly the result of the long, regrettable silence of the Council. This should end now. Thirdly, this is taking place as the world is struggling to restore peace in Ukraine and save many innocent civilian lives there. We must not allow North Korea to take advantage of the situation to further develop its prohibited capability. The Council has repeatedly made clear that it is necessary to achieve the dismantlement of all of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, in accordance with the relevant Council resolutions. Those resolutions are about not only what North Korea needs to do, but also what we, the other Member States, are obliged to do. Japan strongly urges all Member States to fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions. Now is not the time for easing sanctions. In conclusion, Japan expects that the Council will fulfil its responsibility by swiftly taking united action. Japan will continue to work closely with Council members and all other Member States to reach a comprehensive solution to the problems related to North Korea.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I shall now adjourn the meeting so that the Council can continue its discussion in closed consultations.