Madam President,
I thank Mr Jenča for his presentation.
France has taken note of the declarations relating to the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia.
This would constitute a further escalation in North Korean support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The participation of North Korean soldiers in a war against a sovereign state would constitute a violation of international law, Security Council resolutions and the United Nations Charter. This would be a hostile act which would have direct consequences on the security of Europeans, on international peace and security, and would only increase the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
North Korea was already complicit, due to its massive military support for the Russian war effort. Russia's acquisition and proven use of North Korean missiles is already in flagrant violation of resolutions adopted by this Council, which Russia itself voted for. North Korean-made ballistic missiles have been used to strike Ukraine, as in Kharkiv last January, or in July and August in documented cases. France condemns these serious actions.
Madam President,
In return for this military support, Russia has become a provider of impunity and assistance for North Korea's illegal weapons of mass destruction programs. This represents an increasingly clear threat to international security.
Last March, Russia alone vetoed the renewal of the group of experts of the 1718 Committee, which had been renewed by consensus for 15 years. It thus deprived all member states of an essential source of information on the implementation of this Council's resolutions. To continue its illegal war, Russia is attempting to compromise the international non-proliferation regime, an essential element of international security.
The increase in North Korean military support also reflects the weakness of Russia, which is seeking by all means, with North Korea, with Iran, to continue its aggression, with the deleterious consequences that we know for the the entire international community.
It is she alone who chose to start this war and who is responsible for this human tragedy. While she could put an end to it without prejudice to her own safety, she persists in continuing it and continues to choose escalation. It is she who chooses, to support its war effort, to establish military cooperation which contravenes international rules, its own commitments, endangers non-proliferation standards, and compromises its credibility as a permanent member of this Council. It is very clear that Russia does not seek peace, but the capitulation of the aggressor. This can in no way be the basis of a just and lasting peace, the only one capable of reestablishing security and stability in a lasting manner. And no one can allow Russia to undermine the foundations of international order in this way.
We once again call on Russia to end its war of aggression, and we urge Russia and North Korea to comply with their international obligations, including the resolutions of this Council.
Thank you.
