S/PV.9146 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 Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mr. Khiari. Mr. Khiari: According to various Government sources, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched a ballistic missile at approximately 7.23 a.m. local time on 4 October. The missile, which has not been publicly acknowledged by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was reportedly launched from the northern province of Jagang, covered a range of 4,500 kilometres and reached an apogee of around 970 kilometres. It marks the first time the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has launched a ballistic missile over Japanese territory since 15 September 2017. The Secretary-General strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s launching of a long-range ballistic missile. This was a reckless act and a clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. The launch risks triggering a significant escalation of tensions in the region and beyond. It is of serious concern that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has again disregarded any consideration for international flight or maritime safety. The Secretary-General calls on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to immediately cease any further destabilizing acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions. The Secretary-General urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take steps to resume dialogue with the key parties concerned with a view to achieving sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. There have been other troubling developments since we previously briefed the Council, on 11 May (see S/PV.9030). In addition to the launch yesterday, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched systems with the apparent characteristics of short- range ballistic missiles on 25 September, 28 September, 29 September and 1 October. On 12 September, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that there were indications that the Punggye-ri nuclear test site remained active and prepared to support a nuclear test. The IAEA added that it continued to observe construction activities at the Yongbyon nuclear facilities as well as indications that the 5-megawatt nuclear reactor was operating. The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the adoption, on 8 September, of the law on the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Policy on the Nuclear Forces” by the Supreme People’s Assembly. Increasing the role and significance of nuclear weapons in security doctrines is contrary to decades of efforts by the international community to reduce and eliminate nuclear risks. While some States continue to rely on nuclear weapons in their security policies, nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to humankind. Their continued existence heightens the risk of unintended escalation or miscalculation. We must strengthen our efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. The Secretary-General urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to reset the course to dialogue and build on previous diplomatic efforts. He reaffirms his commitment to working with all parties for sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. He welcomes and encourages the regular contact and cooperation among the key parties and commends them for their willingness to engage in dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea without preconditions. The Secretary-General, at the same time and separately, remains concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The United Nations system, in coordination with international and humanitarian partners, is ready to send staff and assistance to help the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Government address medical and humanitarian needs, including those related to the coronavirus disease pandemic. To allow for a timely and effective response, we reiterate our call for the unimpeded entry of international staff and humanitarian supplies. We also acknowledge the work of Member States towards resolving the banking channel for humanitarian operations. Let me conclude 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 Mr. Khiari for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Security Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Japan and the Republic of Korea to our meeting today. In just nine days, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has launched eight ballistic missiles, all clear violations of multiple Security Council resolutions. Earlier this week, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched a dangerous and destabilizing reported long-range ballistic missile over Japan. Pyongyang clearly feels emboldened. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has launched 39 ballistic missiles this year alone, which far surpasses its previous record of 25. And multiple Member States and the International Atomic Energy Agency have reported that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is reconstituting its nuclear testing site in preparation for a seventh nuclear test. Kim Jong Un has called for — in his words — the highest rapidity in advancing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programme. And he appears to be getting his way. Since the beginning of this year, 12 Council members have joined us in condemning those unlawful actions and in voting to impose real costs on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea  — real costs that would impede its WMD and ballistic-missile pursuits. I thank those colleagues who remain committed to upholding the global non-proliferation regime. But as we all know, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has enjoyed blanket protection from two members of the Security Council. Those two members have gone out of their way to justify the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s repeated provocations and block every attempt to update the sanctions regime. In short, two permanent members of the Security Council have enabled Kim Jong Un. And before those two Council members repeat their myth that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s provocations are somehow a consequence of hostile United States policies and actions, let us review the facts. On 25 September, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched two ballistic missiles in violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. The United States, its allies and the Security Council did nothing to provoke that unacceptable behaviour. Following those launches, the United States, its allies and the Council continued to be vigilant, but did not raise the issue immediately. And over the next eight days, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continued its self-initiated escalations. So there is no question that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s hostile launch of unlawful weapons has been unprovoked. We will not tolerate any country blaming our defensive actions to respond to the threats of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as somehow the inherent cause of those threats. Despite a lack of engagement from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the United States remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy. The United States, however, will not stand by as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea directly threatens the United States, its allies and the entire world. None of us should. Despite the recent divisions, I believe it is still within our power to come together — just as we did in recent years — when we unanimously responded to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s provocation. And we just heard from our briefer about the importance of us remaining unified. We can and must return to a time when we spoke with a united voice against the malign behaviour of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and when we stood together in support of the global non-proliferation regime. That means fully implementing the existing resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It means undertaking sanctions maintenance efforts. And it means pursuing a resolution to address the sanctions evasion activities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea going forward. The truth is that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is testing capabilities that can threaten every single Member State. That threatens all of our individual and collective security, full stop. And by serving on the Security Council, we have all taken on the weighty responsibility of protecting and defending international peace and security. So let us do our jobs. Let us honour that commitment.

I too thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing, and we also welcome the representatives of Japan and the Republic of Korea to this meeting. Albania strongly condemns the long-range ballistic-missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that overflew Japan on 3 October, as well as its seven other ballistic-missile launches since 25 September. That is unacceptable. The last time we saw the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea engage in such behaviour was in 2017, and at the time the Council came together, united and took action to hold the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea accountable. This is once again a moment for the Security Council to act responsibly and accordingly to respond to the immediate threats coming from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that are threatening the stability of the Korean peninsula and the wider region. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must immediately cease those provocative and dangerous actions. With the recent launches it has not only violated all the relevant Security Council resolutions but has also further undermined the international rules-based order. The Security Council must therefore stand up and speak with one voice in denouncing the behaviour of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, but also in holding the Kim Jong Un regime accountable for directly threatening the Japanese people and the whole Korean peninsula. It makes no sense for the members of the Security Council to avoid angering the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. At this point, nobody can complain that the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are suffering the consequences of a severe sanctions regime. The only thing responsible for the suffering of the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the attitude of their own regime. We must use all the tools and the power provided by our mandate to send a strong message to the regime of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The regime of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must have understood by now that it will not be rewarded for its reckless behaviour. The sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must be fully implemented, and every breach of them represents an increased threat to regional and international peace and an opportunity for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to strengthen its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic-missile programme. Let me conclude by reiterating our call to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abandon its provocations and end its WMD, ballistic-missile and nuclear programmes. A return to meaningful dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should understand that it is the only way forward, and the right one.

I thank Mr. Khiari for his briefing. France firmly condemns North Korea’s launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile on 4 October. For the first time in five years, a North Korean missile flew over Japanese territory. That is an unacceptable provocation, and I want to assure the Japanese authorities of France’s full solidarity. That new escalation is taking place at a time when a series of short-range ballistic missiles have also been launched in the past few days. Every one of those launches is a violation of resolutions adopted unanimously by the Security Council. They represent a threat to regional stability and international security, and the Secretary- General has firmly condemned this irresponsible act. The increase in ballistic tests since the beginning of the year is unprecedented. We are witnessing a clear development of ballistic capabilities, with the declared intention of developing a tactical nuclear programme. North Korea, which is unrelentingly pursuing its enrichment activities, is using increasingly aggressive nuclear rhetoric, as evidenced by the adoption of a new nuclear position at the beginning of September. On the ground, at Yongbyon and Punggye-ri, we note further preparations for a seventh nuclear test. It would be irresponsible to reward violations of the resolutions by easing sanctions. Rather, pressure on Pyongyang must be maintained and increased in certain areas. Let us recall that North Korea continues to circumvent the sanctions, in particular through its cyberattacks, which enable it to directly finance its programmes. At the same time, we must resume dialogue, the goal of which is well known: the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of nuclear, ballistic and other weapons of mass destruction programmes. All actors in the region must be involved. North Korea must return to the negotiating table in good faith. I will conclude by underscoring France’s concern about the humanitarian situation in North Korea. We regret that the North Korean regime continues to develop and fund its proliferation programmes at the expense of its own people. The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) grants requests for humanitarian exemptions that are submitted to it as soon as possible. The situation is serious. The Council must act. It must unanimously condemn the new provocation. That is why we support the draft press statement proposed by the United States.

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his very useful briefing. Ireland condemns the eight missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea over the past two weeks. We remain deeply concerned that, for 15 months, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has conducted missile launches of unprecedented intensity and diversity. The most recent launch, on 4 October, overflying Japan, demonstrated the dangerous and reckless path the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is following, with serious potential risks to maritime and air traffic and its neighbours. At the same time, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has also continued its illegal nuclear activities at Yongbyon and preparations towards a possible nuclear test. Those actions are clear violations of Security Council resolutions and a flagrant challenge to the decisions and authority of the Council. They have been accompanied by threats against neighbours and a stated aim to develop tactical nuclear weapons that are calculated to escalate tensions and confrontation in the region and beyond. Over that period, the Council has been forced to remain silent. That has included the veto by two of its members of a draft resolution (S/2022/431) in May. The Council must live up to its responsibilities. Equally, we must continue to ensure that Security Council resolutions, including sanctions, are fully and effectively enforced. Let us be clear: it is the actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea alone that have raised tensions. It is for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to act to ease the situation. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must meet its obligations under Security Council resolutions. It must abandon its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea cannot, and will not, be accepted as a nuclear-weapon State. It must return to compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, and adhere to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should accept that dialogue and diplomacy are the only path to peace, stability and security on the Korean peninsula. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to consider its responsibilities to its own people and the international community and to engage meaningfully and without preconditions with the United States and South Korean offers of talks. At the same time, the Council must meet its obligations, uphold its own resolutions and respond in a unified and determined way to the actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

First, let me thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing. We also welcome the participation of the representatives of Japan and the Republic of Korea at this meeting. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has performed a record number of ballistic missile tests since the beginning of this year. Norway is deeply disturbed by the continued development by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of its nuclear and ballistic programmes and the dangers that military activity poses to peace and stability in the region and beyond. Norway condemns in the strongest terms the launch of four ballistic missiles in late September and the launch conducted yesterday, 4 October, of a possible intermediate-range ballistic missile over mainland Japan. That would be the first test of such a missile since 2017. We agree with the Secretary-General, who called that launch a reckless act and a violation of Security Council resolutions. Colleagues in the Security Council have argued that we should not take any actions to provoke the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or escalate the situation further. Yet the Council’s silence and inability to act has done just that. The recent launches raise tensions and make diplomatic efforts even more difficult. The missile launches represent a very serious threat to civil aviation and maritime safety in the region. We urge the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply fully with its international obligations, abandon its nuclear and ballistic programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and recommit to meaningful negotiations towards that end. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must rejoin the international non-proliferation regime. We call on the Council to show unity in the face of the escalation by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. If the Council continues to remain silent, that will undermine its credibility and authority. Council members in contact with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should also urge Pyongyang to accept the unconditional offers of dialogue that have been extended by the United States and the Republic of Korea. Norway remains worried about the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and calls on the country’s Government to cooperate with the international community to enable humanitarian assistance, including assistance related to the coronavirus disease. Members of the Council have continued to show that they take the humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea very seriously, as evidenced by provisions in the vetoed draft resolution (S/2022/431), which would have broadened the humanitarian exemption mechanisms considerably. The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) also continues to place priority on approving requests for humanitarian exemptions. In conclusion, let me reiterate that the full implementation of sanctions measures by all Member States is crucial. It is high time that the Council spoke with a unified voice on this issue, and we support the draft press statement proposed by the United States. We must continue to affirm that the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must comply fully with its international obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions. Only through dialogue and diplomacy will we find a lasting solution to bring about peace on the Korean peninsula. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his informative briefing. As we have heard, at around 7.30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, as commuters in northern Japan were making their way to work, evacuation alerts sent people rushing to shelters. Public transport came to a halt as a ballistic missile, launched without warning by North Korea, flew overhead. The threat to international peace and security presented by North Korea’s reckless and illegal ballistic missile tests could not be clearer. North Korea’s latest launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile violates multiple Security Council resolutions. We stand in solidarity with the people of Japan and of States in the region threatened by that unacceptable behaviour. This latest test is a serious escalation, but the broader trend is just as concerning. This year alone, North Korea has launched 39 ballistic missiles, seven of them in the past 10 days. We urge Council members to meet those violations with a firm and united response. North Korea has been emboldened by the Council’s inaction and the use of the veto by two Council members. Diplomacy is the only route to sustained peace on the peninsula, but it is right that the Council should continue to take appropriate, targeted measures to slow the pace of proliferation. We therefore again call on all Member States to implement the existing Security Council resolutions on North Korea in full. They are an essential part of the efforts to counter the continued development of North Korea’s prohibited programmes. Let me also be clear that Council sanctions are not targeted at the North Korean people. We fully support the delivery of humanitarian support to the most vulnerable and therefore call on North Korea to permit an independent assessment of the humanitarian situation and allow aid to flow freely into the country. We call on North Korea to refrain from further provocations, engage meaningfully with the United States’ offer of dialogue and take concrete steps towards denuclearization in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing on the latest developments in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We have noted with concern the reports of ballistic- missile launches over the past week by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. They follow the country’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in March, which was discussed in the Security Council (see S/PV.9004), as well as other subsequent launches. The launches constitute a violation of the resolutions of the Security Council relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. They affect peace and security in the region and beyond. We call accordingly for the full implementation of the relevant Council resolutions related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. India would also like to reiterate the importance of addressing the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in our region. Those linkages have an adverse impact on peace and security in the region, including in India. We therefore reiterate our continued support for denuclearization aimed at achieving peace and security in the Korean peninsula. The Council is well aware that the global South has already been disproportionately affected by the prevailing geopolitical situation and related challenges. It is therefore important to continue to make every effort to maintain peace and security. Ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula is in our collective interest, and going forward we will continue to support dialogue and diplomacy as the way to resolve the issues there.

I thank Mr. Khaled Khiari for his valuable briefing and welcome the participation of the representatives of the Republic of Korea and of Japan in today’s meeting. The United Arab Emirates joins Secretary-General Guterres in expressing its strong condemnation of the launch on 4 October by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which was the first such missile to fly over Japanese territory in five years. That dangerous escalation flagrantly threatened civilian lives, international aviation and maritime safety, and we offer our full support to Japan and its people. The recent ballistic-missile launch is part of the continued reckless and irresponsible behaviour by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which resumed its missile tests in September of last year, in a clear violation of several Security Council resolutions. In the context of today’s meeting, I would like to emphasize the following points. First, we renew our call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respect international laws, norms and the relevant Security Council resolutions, and we urge it to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomacy and dialogue. We stress our condemnation of any missile tests, any efforts to possess nuclear weapons and any actions that undermine non-proliferation efforts. In that regard, we are concerned about the reports that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea may be ready to conduct a nuclear test and about the law adopted by its Parliament last month on the right to possess nuclear weapons and permit their pre-emptive use. Secondly, we affirm the importance of ensuring that all countries are in full compliance with the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime, especially at this critical juncture for that regime. Undoubtedly, the escalatory pattern of behaviour exhibited by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, specifically through its development of a nuclear-weapon and ballistic-missile programme, will negatively affect the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. And we agree with the assessment that the regime feels emboldened by the inaction of the Council in that regard. Thirdly, the Security Council must intensify its efforts to maintain peace and security on the Korean peninsula and to preserve the global non-proliferation regime. That necessarily includes preventing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from engaging in the illicit smuggling of weapons and components via the black market. In doing so, the Council must consider utilizing all measures at its disposal, including sanctions. We are ready to work with other Council members to address the concerns arising from such measures taken by the Council. At the same time, we once again call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to resume dialogue with relevant parties, prioritize diplomatic solutions and abandon its nuclear weapons in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner in order to bring peace and security to the Korean peninsula. Fourthly, while decision-makers in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continue to harness the country’s limited resources for the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, the United Arab Emirates remains concerned about the continued deterioration in the humanitarian conditions of the North Korean people, the majority of whom suffer from poverty. We once again urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cooperate with the international community and the United Nations to alleviate the current humanitarian situation by facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid and by allowing relief organizations and the United Nations Resident Coordinator to carry out their vital activities in the country. Finally, the United Arab Emirates stresses the importance of the Security Council speaking with a united voice in order to carry out its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and slowing any further escalation of this dangerous nuclear rhetoric. The warning signs are flashing red for the Council and a response is needed.

I would like to begin by thanking Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing of the Security Council. Ghana continues to be concerned about the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and the wider North-East Asia region. Those renewed tensions have been occasioned by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s repeated missile launches over the past week, particularly its launch on 4 October of an intermediate-range ballistic missile that flew over Japan. The present missile launch — the first to follow such a trajectory since 2017 and the first weapon of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to reach such a distance  — represents a clear escalation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s actions against its neighbours and against international peace. It is particularly concerning that the launch was carried out in breach of several Security Council resolutions, without regard for aviation or maritime safety and without any warning, for that matter. Ghana is gravely concerned about and firmly deplores this current launch and others before it. Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has significantly increased the frequency, types and delivery systems of the missiles it has launched. Reports that it has made preparations at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site, possibly for a seventh nuclear test, coupled with its claim to have advanced its development of tactical nuclear weapons, as well as its threat to use nuclear weapons if its national interests are threatened, are extremely worrisome and run contrary to its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The Council must therefore make a unified call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take immediate, urgent and concrete steps to bring itself into compliance with its international obligations. At a time of such global fragility, the world can ill afford to have multiple crises. In that regard, we urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to refrain from further missile test launches and to take the urgent and necessary steps 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 and resume constructive and credible dialogue with the relevant parties in a manner that recognizes regional and global security concerns. We hope that the Council and other relevant parties will be able to act in a manner that preserves the peace, while at the same time ensuring that the humanitarian needs of the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are addressed.

We thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing and welcome the delegations of Japan and the Republic of Korea to today’s Council meeting. We note with concern the information confirming that, on 4 October, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile that flew over the territory of Japan before falling into the Pacific Ocean. We join the Secretary-General’s firm condemnation of that launch. Such a serious situation has not arisen since 2017, although in recent months the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had already stepped up the pace of launches and use of new technologies. This demonstrates the Council’s inability to prevent the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from continuing to strengthen and develop its ballistic programme, to the detriment of the disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. We consider the continuing missile launches in contravention of Security Council resolutions to be a serious matter. Mexico opposes all actions that seek to violate multilateral agreements on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and that put regional and international security at risk. The launch in question jeopardizes maritime and aviation security in the area. Recent statements and legislation by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on its nuclear posture run counter to the goals of a nuclear-weapon-free world. The Council must live up to its responsibility and speak with one voice in the face of any action that contravenes international peace and security, and the case of the Korean peninsula is not and cannot be an exception. Of course, we reiterate that disputes must be resolved through dialogue, and we therefore call on those actors with the greatest influence in the region to spare no effort to ensure a timely return to the negotiating table. Remaining silent in the face of the escalating tensions we are experiencing will not help to bring about the solutions that are so urgently needed. We therefore support the draft press statement that has been circulated among the members of the Council. My country reiterates its call for the exercise of maximum restraint and to refrain from any actions that could result in further confrontation. We insist on the need for a dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, leading to the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

I thank Assistant Secretary- General Khaled Khiari for the briefing and welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Japan and the Republic of Korea in this meeting. Kenya once again expresses its profound concern over the steadily escalating situation in the Korean peninsula. This year alone, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has carried out 39 test launches of ballistic missiles in blatant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. Eight of those launches, as we have heard today, have been carried out in the past 10 days, the latest of which flew over Japan for the first time since 2017. In addition, there have been unsettling reports, attributed to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s State media, of the country’s determination to develop its nuclear weapons in the shortest time possible. Those relentless and uncalled-for provocative actions are now driving the region into an unnecessary arms race and represent a grave threat to international peace and security. Indeed, given the obtaining situation, any miscalculation could plunge the Korean peninsula into unspeakable turmoil, and the resulting global socioeconomic and security repercussions would be catastrophic, particularly for the global South. Consequently, Kenya reiterates its call for the halting of any further provocative acts in the Korean peninsula, in compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. We further reiterate that unconditional and genuine dialogue that considers the concerns of all parties in the region is the only viable path out of the fragile situation. In that regard, Kenya urges the international community, particularly States with influence on both sides, to help restart diplomatic negotiations. It is disturbing that the provocations are happening against a backdrop of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We encourage the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to prioritize the needs of its people over costly military ventures. Meanwhile, all other concerned parties should spare a thought for the humanitarian plight of the citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. They should endeavour to ensure that any actions they take do not unnecessarily worsen the suffering of the innocent population.

At the outset, I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing. I welcome the delegations of Japan and the Republic of Korea to this meeting. Brazil condemns in the strongest terms the latest launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. This year, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has launched 39 ballistic missiles, all of which violate relevant Security Council resolutions. Even in that context, however, the most recent launch stands out. It is the first launch in five years to have overflown the territory of a neighbouring country, as it crossed over the northern part of Japan. Missile tests over populated areas involve specific and additional risks that we cannot accept. A missile overflight might easily be construed by early warning systems as a real attack, potentially precipitating a dangerous and unpredictable crisis. Furthermore, there is a real risk of missile malfunction, as a small change in missile trajectory could be lethal. Even debris generated by an overflying missile might cause harm and disruption to the lives and livelihoods of the population. There are, today, around 200,00 Brazilians living in Japan, which is our fifth largest community abroad. Any missile risk to Japan is also a risk to the Brazilian community in that country. The latest test, for example, put at direct risk the hundreds of Brazilians who currently reside in Hokkaido and adjacent areas. Brazil is also concerned with the repercussions of such tests on civil aviation. We deeply regret that the launch and previous launches that have taken place since the beginning of 2022 were not preceded by early warnings through the issuance of notices to airmen. This poses a significant threat to civilian aircraft operating in the area. The concrete threats to the Brazilian community help illustrate our clear and direct stake in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea file and in the peace and security of North-East Asia more broadly. Our number one priority must be reducing tensions and establishing a dialogue that can lead to greater predictability and stability in the region. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must fully adhere to and implement all relevant Security Council resolutions and abstain from any further ballistic-missile tests that run counter to the decisions of the Council. We especially urge, as an urgent first step, the return to the moratorium declared in 2018 on intermediate- and long-range tests, which pose the greatest threat to the civilian population of neighbouring countries when tested over populated areas, in addition to their threats to international peace and security. At the same time, we call on the Security Council to seriously explore alternative avenues to reducing tensions on the peninsula and breaking the current deadlock. After 39 ballistic-missile launches this year, it is clear that sanctions alone are not sufficient to curb the threat caused by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. While multilateral sanctions may be part of a comprehensive response, they alone cannot address the peace and security issues of the peninsula. Lasting stability must involve structured dialogue, confidence-building and genuine engagement. Without these, there can be no chance of assuring long-term peace for our populations in the region and beyond.

We would like to thank Mr. Khaled Khiari for his briefing. Russia objects to any military activity that threatens the security of the Korean peninsula and the countries in North-East Asia. We note with regret that in recent months the situation on the Korean peninsula has shown a tendency to worsen. In August, the United States and its allies in the region resumed a large-scale military- training activity, and at the end of September, for the first time in five years, exercises were held in the Sea of Japan by the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan, with the participation of a nuclear-missile carrier, with a view to training to hit targets of critical importance in the Democratic People’s Republic. The leaders of these countries are talking irresponsibly about deploying American means of deterrence, including nuclear means, on the Korean peninsula and in the region. We regret that this factual information was not reflected in the briefing provided by the United Nations representative. It is obvious that the missile launches by Pyongyang are a consequence of a short-sighted, confrontational military activity conducted by the United States of America surrounding this country, which hurts its own partners in the region and also worsens the situation in North-East Asia as a whole. Furthermore, the situation on the Korean peninsula cannot be considered separately from complicated processes that are currently taking place in this part of the world, and we can but note Washington’s persistent pushing forward of their unilateral security doctrine in the Asia-Pacific region, which only creates new risks for the countries in the region and is trying to divide them according to the principle of “if you are not with us, you are against us”. Part of such activity includes creating new military blocs, such as, for example, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, in the so-called AUKUS, and this gives rise to doubts about the good intentions of these States, in particular for Pyongyang, which is not conducive to dialogue. In the Security Council, we often hear from its Member States that preventive diplomacy cannot be replaced, that there are no military solutions to conflicts, and that, when trying to settle explosive situations, priority needs to be given to political and diplomatic means. These are very important words — they are the very essence of the United Nations Charter — but when it comes to our Western colleagues, these methods are emphasized only where they have an opportunity to interfere into others’ internal affairs. But when we talk about the regions where their geopolitical interests are truly at stake, then condemnation, pressure and sabre-rattling come to the fore. In the eyes of the United States and other Western countries, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was long ago excluded from the so-called civilized world. Pyongyang, out of all the dishes on the menu, is only offered one, namely, sanctions. Since 2006, on initiatives of the United States, a large number of restrictive measures have been imposed on Pyongyang, each stronger than its predecessor, but over the course of the years, it has become very clear that the sanctions paradigm cannot ensure security in the region, nor can it bring us closer to the settling of the issues of missile and nuclear proliferation. We deeply regret that our Western colleagues have consistently ignored the numerous appeals by Pyongyang to the United States to stop its hostile activity, which could open an opportunity for dialogue. But these appears were not taken seriously, and the accommodating steps undertaken by Pyongyang in 2018 and 2019 and the positive signals that the North Koreans sent at that time were also not heeded. It is because of the United States position that the Council could not find within itself the ability to react to them appropriately and help with the process of easing tensions. We have stated it many times and are repeating it now: introducing new sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a dead end. It is a measure that, as we just stated, is bringing us zero results when it comes to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We are convinced that United Nations and Security Council mechanisms need to be used to support the inter-Korean dialogue and multilateral negotiations rather than to become an impediment to them. It is only then that we will be able to talk about effectively resolving outstanding issues in the region, including the nuclear issue, and do it on the basis of mutually acceptable agreements. A further increase in sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is going beyond being just a measure to counter the banned missile and nuclear programmes; it is threatening the citizens of North Korea with unacceptable socioeconomic and humanitarian upheavals. In conclusion, I would like yet again to underscore that the task before us today is to make sure that all parties show restraint and demonstrate that they are, in practice, ready to resume dialogue within the framework of earlier agreements and commitments undertaken. We still have on the table the political and humanitarian initiatives put forward by Russia and China, which could incentivize the sides to increase their negotiating efforts. The absence of moving forward on the political track and the refusal of some members, in particular Western members, to make even a single step towards a balanced and comprehensive solution in the Security Council is the main sign showing that the Security Council in unable to act. Such a stance, together with the increase by the United States and its allies of measures of military nature, risks creating further tensions on the peninsula, and this can lead to unpredictable and very dangerous consequences for the whole of North- East Asia.

I listened to the briefing by Assistant Secretary- General Khiari. We have taken note of the recent launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We have also noted the multiple joint military exercises held by the United States and other countries recently in the region. A brief examination will show that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s launch activities took place either before or after those military exercises and did not take place in isolation. Given the critical state of ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula, all parties should focus on the overarching goal of peace and stability on the peninsula, remain calm, exercise restraint and caution and refrain from taking any action that may exacerbate tensions or lead to a miscalculation, so as to prevent the continuous escalation of the situation. The Korean peninsula issue is complex. The crux of the matter is the confrontation between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The year 2018 witnessed a significant positive development in the situation on the peninsula. The United States regrettably failed to respond to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s positive measures in accordance with the principle of action for action. The denuclearization measures taken by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea went unacknowledged, and the country’s legitimate and reasonable concerns have not been addressed. As a result, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea-United States dialogue has reached an impasse, and mistrust has become even more entrenched. At the same time, the United States has recently been bolstering its military alliance in the Asia-Pacific region and intensifying the risk of military confrontation. On the nuclear issue, the United States pursues double standards and is engaged in political manoeuvring, poisoning the regional security environment. Against that backdrop, the heightened tensions on the peninsula should not be a surprise. History shows that dialogue and consultation are the only way to resolve the Korean peninsula issue. When the dialogue went well, relative stability prevailed on the peninsula, and when there was an impasse or backtracking, tensions invariably escalated. We call on the United States to take concrete measures, demonstrate its sincerity and effectively address the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea so as to create conditions for the resumption of dialogue. The Security Council should play a constructive role on the Korean peninsula issue instead of relying solely on strong rhetoric or pressure. The Council’s discussions and deliberations should contribute to a détente rather than fuelling escalation. They should promote the resumption of dialogue instead of widening differences and should forge unity instead of creating divisions. China and Russia put forward a draft resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in order to ease the humanitarian situation on the ground, create a climate conducive to mutual trust among all parties and the resumption of dialogue and inject impetus into the political settlement of the Korean peninsula issue. The draft text is still on the table, and we hope that Council members will actively consider it. As a close neighbour of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, China closely follows the situation on the peninsula. As always, China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability, achieving denuclearization on the peninsula and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation. The Global Security Initiative, proposed by China, provides important guidance about the settlement of this issue. We once again call on all the parties concerned to deal with and resolve the Korean peninsula issue based on the indivisibility of security, follow the dual-track approach and the principle of phased and coordinated actions, remain committed to dialogue and consultation, meet each other halfway and resolve the reasonable concerns of all sides in a balanced manner so as to jointly promote the political settlement of the peninsula issue. In that regard, China remains committed to playing a constructive role.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Gabon. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing. I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of Korea and Japan in this meeting. On Monday, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched a ballistic missile of an unprecedented range, causing alarm and great concern to neighbouring countries, including Japan, which witnessed the missile overfly its airspace. That latest missile launch, which is added to a gradually increasing list since the beginning of the year, calls the international community’s attention to the scale of the threat to the security of the Korean peninsula and requires an urgent and concerted response from the Security Council, commensurate with the stakes. Firmly committed to the non-proliferation regime and to peace on the Korean peninsula, Gabon condemns such ballistic-missile launches. The diplomatic approach of firing missiles and showing force cannot be the solution. It is neither constructive nor sustainable. It fuels tensions and rekindles the anxiety and concern of the people. It is a response to many threats and dangers, including the nuclear threat, which heightens fear. My country calls for unconditional dialogue with a view to reaching a solution that ensures peace and the elimination of the nuclear threat on the Korean peninsula. Gabon is opposed to the use of nuclear weapons and any threat to use them. Our view is that such weapons should not be developed or produced because of their unacceptable potential for destruction. It is clear that the development of new nuclear capabilities by States of the region will only increase the regional and global security threat. We cannot say it enough: the solution to the crisis on the Korean peninsula can be found only through dialogue and consultation. My country rejects any rhetoric that trivializes the nuclear threat, which does not augur well for peace and collective security. We continue to call on the countries of the region and all the parties to commit to seeking a solution by engaging in diplomatic negotiations and to resume talks based on the commitments already made, with a view to achieving a negotiated solution, which is the only viable option for security on the Korean peninsula. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.

I would like to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this urgent meeting of the Security Council. I am grateful for having been invited to take part in this important meeting. I also thank Assistant Secretary- General Khiari for his briefing. Over the past nine days, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched eight ballistic missiles, including the recent launch on 4 October of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which travelled around 4,500 kilometres over Japan towards the Pacific. I need not remind Council members of the fact that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched a total of 39 ballistic missiles this year alone, and more than 130 over the past 10 years. Indeed, at the present juncture, we are living with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s dangerous missile provocations on a near-daily basis. The Republic of Korea condemns in the strongest terms the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s continued ballistic-missile launches, which clearly constitute flagrant violations of multiple Security Council resolutions. Such provocative actions by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea not only threaten the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and beyond, but also profoundly undermine the very foundation of the global non-proliferation regime. At the same time, these launches once again demonstrate Pyongyang’s complete disregard of its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations as a Member State. Moreover, this dangerous cycle of provocation illustrates that, despite its dire humanitarian situation, the North Korean regime is still preoccupied with its political survival and the development of its programmes on weapons of mass destruction. That represents a shameful diversion of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s scarce resources to build up its nuclear arsenal, at the expense of the well-being and livelihoods of its own people. We also note that the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is not improving at all. Today’s global security and economic environment has become increasingly fragile and uncertain, particularly as a result of the Russian Federation’s aggression on Ukraine. Against that troubling backdrop, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is taking advantage of the distraction of the international community and further accelerating the development of its nuclear and missile programmes. Recently, on 8 September, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea promulgated its new law on a nuclear weapons policy, which set the threshold for using nuclear weapons far lower than any other country. The policy even allows pre-emptive strikes or the use of nuclear weapons on a dangerously arbitrary basis. My delegation reiterates that any attempt by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to justify its possession or the potential use of nuclear weapons will simply not be recognized by the international community under any circumstance. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s must be held accountable for its continued breach of its international obligations. In that light, it is with great regret that the Security Council  — for the first time in responding to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile provocations since 2006 — failed to adopt a draft resolution (S/2022/431) in May, owing to the opposition by two permanent members (see S/PV.9048). Some have argued that the Security Council should show restraint so as not to further irritate the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. On the contrary, we have palpably witnessed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea loudly responding to the Security Council’s silence in the form of more frequent ballistic missile launches and the promulgation of its new law on the use of nuclear weapons. Moreover, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea now stands on the verge of its seventh nuclear test, which will critically undermine the credibility of the international non-proliferation regime. In that connection, my delegation would like to recall the Security Council’s raison d’être  — the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council must take decisive measures to send a unified and clear message to Pyongyang that its escalatory behaviour must come to an end. In the meantime, the existing Security Council sanctions measures must be fully and faithfully implemented by all Members of the United Nations, especially by Security Council members. That may be the only way to effectively pressure Pyongyang to reconsider its behaviour and return to diplomacy. The Republic of Korea would like to reiterate that the door for dialogue remains open despite the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s repeated provocations and threats, and calls on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respond positively to our new Government’s “Audacious Initiative” for sincere and substantive negotiation towards the denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In addition, our open hand of unconditional humanitarian assistance to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is still extended. We strongly urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cease all of its provocations, fulfil its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions and engage in meaningful dialogue on denuclearization.

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

I also thank Mr. Khaled Khiari for his briefing. When the Security Council met on this issue in May (see S/PV.9048), we all saw the vetoes cast that blocked the Council from taking action. And what happened after that? North Korea conducted launches the very next month, in June. And now let me ask a question: how many ballistic missiles were launched just since 25 September? We all know the answer: eight ballistic missiles, over five separate launches, in just 10 days. All of those launches violate relevant resolutions adopted by the Council, which is entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. They mark a clear escalation. They pose a grave and imminent threat to the peace and security of not just Japan, but also the region and beyond. In short, they challenge the very authority of the Council. Among those launches, the latest was especially significant. It flew over Japan and impacted in the Pacific Ocean for the first time since 2017. I assume we can all imagine how terrifying it must be to see a missile flying overhead. That is absolutely unacceptable, and Japan condemns it in the strongest possible terms. Those most recent launches must not be viewed in isolation. They are part of North Korea’s long-pursued and reinvigorated nuclear and missile programmes. In September, we also learned about a further unacceptable development regarding North Korea’s nuclear policy. And there have been continued and widespread reports of ongoing activities at a nuclear test site in North Korea. We must not allow the current situation to become a new normal. The Council will recall that it unanimously adopted resolution 2321 (2016) in 2016. That resolution needs to be respected. The Council should be mindful that it is being tested and that its credibility is at stake. Silence is not an option. North Korea has violated multiple Council resolutions, and the Council should act and produce an outcome that restores its credibility and fulfils its responsibilities. The Council also needs to send a clear and unequivocal message to North Korea and to the international community that North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and missile activities constitute a grave threat to international peace and security and that there is no excuse for their actions. Japan will spare no effort to cooperate with Council members and all other Member States to that end. We need to do our jobs.

The representative of the United States has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

I felt I had to take the floor again. As we expected, instead of putting the blame where the blame lies — on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea  — Russia and China want to blame others for their actions First, the United States and the Republic of Korea carry out defensive military exercises responsibly and consistent with international law. Those exercises improve readiness that is critical to deterrence and responding to regional threats. Ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are unlawful. They are reckless. And they endanger neighbours in the region. There is no equivalency between those two activities. Secondly, also as expected — and we have said this repeatedly in this Chamber — the enhanced trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS does not violate the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We take our NPT obligations very seriously, and I know that the United Kingdom and Australia do so as well. It is worrisome that Russia and China insist on distracting us from discussions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s clear attempts to undermine the global non-proliferation regime with false claims. Those countries’ attempts to defend Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should not go unnoticed. Finally, the draft resolution that China and Russia have proposed is predicated on their assessment that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is showing goodwill through a moratorium  — and I say, what moratorium? The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has shown repeatedly this year that such a moratorium does not exist. This is a clear effort by China and Russia to reward the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for its bad actions and cannot be taken seriously by the Council. In the light of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s escalating provocations and its returning to testing long-range systems, the purported basis for the draft resolution has no validity here. We need to turn quickly to strengthening the sanctions regime under resolution 1718 (2006), not considering sanctions relief. We have heard all members of the Council, except Russia and China, condemn the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s actions today. Finally, on the humanitarian question, it is clear and has been repeatedly stated that the only barrier to sending humanitarian assistance to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea itself  — their own self-imposed border closures, not international sanctions, as our colleagues have alleged.

The representative of China has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

I did not intend to speak a lot on this occasion, since we will hold closed consultations following this open briefing. But now that the representative of the United States has made a second statement, I believe I have to speak in response. I will mention three points. First, the recent launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are not issues that should be viewed in isolation. We have always believed that we must view the current situation on the peninsula in a comprehensive way. The recent missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are closely related to the series of joint military exercises in the region. Some people say that the launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea took place because in May (see S/PV.9030) the Security Council did not adopt a draft resolution (S/2022/431)  — that is, they are a result of the Council’s inaction. That argument is totally erroneous and misleading. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s sense of insecurity is increasing. Why? There are reasons. Recently, the United States and other countries have frequently conducted military exercises and carried out cooperation on nuclear submarines with certain countries. It has claimed that it will deploy so-called strategic assets in the region. Such rhetoric and actions are in fact heightening the confrontation and creating risks and tensions. A sound political and security environment is indispensable for a solution to the issues on the peninsula. We hope that the countries concerned will bear in mind the overarching goal of regional peace and security and create a sound environment for peace and stability on the peninsula. Secondly, just now, the representative of the United States and other representatives stressed in their statements that the Council’s resolutions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must be fully implemented. China agrees, and that has been our consistent view. At the same time, I must point out that those resolutions also include provisions to alleviate the humanitarian situation on the peninsula and promote the political process, along with other provisions. The implementation of the Council’s resolutions should address all the provisions fairly, rather than focusing solely on sanctions. Experience has shown that sanctions cannot solve everything. Lopsided emphasis on sanctions at the expense of political efforts and relentless pressure will not help ease the situation. They are not the right approach. Thirdly, I would like to stress that dialogue and consultation are the only way to solve the Korean peninsula issue. We urge the parties concerned to demonstrate sincerity and take actions to create conditions to resume dialogue. We also call upon the countries concerned to meet each other halfway, address the legitimate and reasonable concerns of all the parties in a balanced manner and promote a political solution of the issue. China is ready to make further contributions in that regard.

The representative of the Russian Federation has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

Let me respond to the remarks of the representative of the United States and make the following points. Unlike the United States, Russia does border on North Korea and is very much concerned over the dangerous developments around the Korean peninsula. That means that we have no choice but to consider the entire situation in a holistic and responsible manner. I disagree with her conclusions that we want to shift responsibility or distort the facts. That was not the purpose of our statement. We just drew attention to the erroneous and dangerous policy of the United States and its allies, which clearly is not working. Of course, one can say that military drills where nuclear missile carriers train to target critical facilities on the territory of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are purely defence-oriented exercises. One can say that alliances involving nuclear submarines are friendly and peaceful  — purely defensive alliances. She can call them that. We have already heard them called that in other parts of the globe. But to us it is obvious that, as long as regional alliances build up military power, as long as they follow a provocative course in military affairs, Pyongyang will respond. The risks of reciprocal action will only continue to grow. We are convinced that the only way to resolve the issue concerning the Korean peninsula is to engage in a dialogue and search for political solutions that take into account the legitimate concerns of all sides, including security concerns.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.