Dennis Francis, Chairman of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, said of the series of high-level talks between Russia and North Korea, “I hope that they will not lead to measures and policies that could violate the (Korean War) Armistice Agreement or harm the stability and security of the Korean Peninsula.”
Chairman Francis held a press conference at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 20th and said, “I talked with Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin about the meeting between Russia and North Korea.”
The Russian and North Korean sides held a summit at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Amur Region on the 13th of last month, and held a foreign ministers’ meeting in Pyongyang the day before to discuss follow-up measures for the summit.
The international community believes that Russia and North Korea have been pursuing military cooperation, including arms deals, in earnest around the summit last month. Russia, which has experienced a shortage of conventional weapons and ammunition due to the prolongation of the war after the start of its invasion of Ukraine in February last year, is transferring the technology necessary for the development and completion of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and reconnaissance satellites in return for supplies from North Korea. There is a possibility that an agreement on the method has been reached.
However, the UN Security Council’s resolution on sanctions against North Korea prohibits not only North Korea’s launch of missiles and all aircraft using such technology, but also arms trade between UN member states and North Korea. If the arms trade between Russia and North Korea is ultimately confirmed to be true, Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, will have violated the Security Council resolution set by itself.
In relation to this, Minister Park also said about trends in military cooperation, such as arms trade between Russia and North Korea, at a meeting with Chairman Francis on the 18th, saying, “It is a clear violation of the UN Security Council resolution and an act that threatens Korean security,” and “It must be stopped immediately.” He said.
Regarding North Korea’s ballistic missile threat, Chairman Francis said, “Reflecting and supporting the values and principles stated in the UN Charter is one of the most powerful and influential activities of the UN.” He added, “North Korea’s missile launch is a violation of international law, so the North Korean authorities “We hope that you will comply with your obligations under this international law,” he said.
In addition, Chairman Francis also argued for the need for Security Council reform at the meeting that day. He said, “The world’s power structure is changing after the Cold War. “The Security Council must be able to reflect this well,” he said. “We need a Security Council that can make decisions on important issues and especially act decisively for peace and security.”
The Security Council has attempted to discuss countermeasures several times since last year, when North Korea resumed ICBM test launches for the first time in five years, but China and Russia, North Korea’s major allies and permanent members of the Security Council, put the brakes on each time and produced no results. I couldn’t do it.
Regarding Korea’s role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2024-25 term, Chairman Francis said, “Considering Korea’s contribution to international peace and security so far, I am confident that it will become the most active member of the Security Council.”
In addition, Chairman Francis said that President Yoon Seok-yeol’s announcement during his keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly last month that he would increase next year’s official development assistance (ODA) budget by more than 40% was “exemplary leadership,” and that “I salute the Korean government and people.” .
Chairman Francis visited Korea for four days starting on the 18th to attend this year’s plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly Conference (UNCPGA), which is being held in Korea.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.