Statement at the UNSC Briefing on DPRK - Non-proliferation

Statement

Thank you ASG Khiari for your useful briefing.

Ireland condemns the recent missile launches by the DPRK, in violation of Council Resolutions.

The 25 missiles launched over less than 24 hours, including a seventh ICBM launch this year, demonstrates the dangerous path DPRK is taking – with serious potential risk to maritime and air traffic, its neighbours and civilian population.

These launches show the continuing, unprecedented escalation of the DPRK’s illegal missile activities over the last year.

Coupled with its threats to its neighbours this continues to represent a serious threat to peace and security in the region and beyond.

It is deeply worrying that for the first time, such launches have landed within the Republic of Korea’s exclusive economic zone.

President, rather than taking up genuine offers of talks by the US and South Korea, the DPRK has sought to raise tensions through these launches. It has sought to advance its illegal missile and nuclear weapons programmes, with the declared aim of developing tactical nuclear weapons.

This represents a serious threat to international peace and security, and seeks to undermine the Security Council’s authority.

DPRK can never and will never be accepted as a nuclear weapon state. We call on the DPRK to immediately end its destabilising actions, to end its ballistic missile programme, and to meet its obligations on complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.

We repeat Council’s call on the DPRK to  return to compliance with the NPT, to  meet its safeguards obligations with the IAEA, and to adhere to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty without delay.

Genuine dialogue is the only way to lasting peace, security and stability on the Korean Peninsula. US and South Korean offers are on the table, and it is only the DPRK that continues to reject this path.

In the meantime, the DPRK’s missile launches underline the need for the full and effective implementation of UN sanctions.

We urge the DPRK to engage with the UN regarding the humanitarian situation in the country, and to allow the immediate return of UN and other humanitarian actors to assess needs, and to ensure that necessary assistance can be provided. 

The DPRK’s choices and actions have created a deeply troubling situation for the people of the DPRK, and the region as a whole. 

We urge the DPRK to join the international community in seeking a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Thank you.

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