First of all, I would like to thank the under-secretary Mr. Khaled Khiari, as well as the director of the Open Source Center, Mr. James Byrne, for their presentations. In the absence of the panel of experts, these presentations are more necessary than ever.
Mr. President,
This week is held, here in new York, the preparatory committee of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (TNP). The work of this committee reminds us of our collective responsibility for preserving the international non-proliferation regime, a regime to which, in our view, North Korea always has the duty to comply.
The Security Council assumes a particular responsibility and a duty of exemplarity: it must respond to the proliferation crises which involve international peace and security. The prosecution by North Korea of illegal nuclear and ballistic programs calls on its part a determined response.
North Korea violates the Security Council resolutions, continuing its nuclear programs. It has already conducted six nuclear trials, and the risk of a new test cannot be ruled out. The International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA) has observed activities on several unorganized sites of enrichment of uranium in the country. Added to this are the worrying statements of Pyongyang, and the registration of the possession of the nuclear weapon in the Constitution in September 2023.
North Korea also breaks the resolutions of the Council by developing its ballistic program. Since 2022, it has led more than 100 ballistic missile launches. These provocations are all threats to regional security.
We ask North Korea to stop these violations of resolutions adopted unanimously by the Council, and to finally engage in the path of a complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearization.
Mr. President,
Due to a veto of Russia, Committee 1718 no longer benefits from the support of the expert panel, which reportedly and objectively reporting on the implementation of resolutions relating to North Korea. The reports of this panel constituted a source of impartial information for the entire international community.
-None of the pretexts alleged by Russia to justify his veto resists the exam. Russia has caused the dismantling of the panel, in parallel with the illicit military support that North Korea gives it in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Evidence attests to the transfer by North Korea of arms and ammunition to Russia, which uses them within the framework of its war effort against Ukraine.
A few days ago, Russia and North Korea themselves recognized the participation of North Korean soldiers in operations conducted within the framework of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. This support has direct consequences on European security interests. We firmly condemn this new violation of international law by these two states. Regarding North Korea, we call on Russia to associate with a decision to restore the panel of experts, in accordance with its responsibility with regard to the Charter, with regard to its quality as a permanent member of the Security Council, and with regard to its role in the non-proliferation regime.
Mr. President,
More generally, the situation calls for our advice to accentuate its vigilance in four areas.
First, the resolutions of this council have a binding character and must be respected by all states, including the members of this council. In particular, I have in mind respecting sanction diets.
Second, the Security Council must be able to ensure the implementation of its resolutions. In this regard, the restoration of the expert panel remains necessary. In the meantime, we are resolved to work to continue the information mission previously fulfilled by it.
Third, the Security Council must support the International Atomic Energy Agency, which retains a role in monitoring and verifying the North Korean nuclear program.
Finally, the Security Council must continue to demand from North Korea that it complies with its international obligations, including for the TNP, and that it opts for dialogue, with a view to peace and lasting security in the Korean peninsula.
Thank you.
