UN Security Council discusses Houthi issue at first public meeting of the new year
U.S. urges Security Council to respond to “threat to freedom of navigation, global challenge”
Korea also participated as a member of the board of directors… “Support for prompt Security Council action”
The UN Security Council held a public meeting on the 3rd (local time) to discuss the threat to ships in the Red Sea by Yemeni rebels Houthis.
South Korea, which began its term as a non-permanent (elected) member this year, also attended the meeting, criticized the Houthis’ actions and urged them to stop their threatening activities.
The UN Security Council held a meeting for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes starting at 3pm on this day and discussed the issue of Houthis’ attacks on civilian ships, etc. in the Red Sea.
This is the first time the Security Council has held a public meeting in the new year, and it is also the first time the Security Council has held a public meeting on the issue of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Security Council issued a statement on the 1st of last month condemning the Houthi attack on a civilian ship.
The countries unanimously condemned the Houthis’ attacks on civilian vessels.
In particular, the United States, which is directly confronting the Houthis in the Red Sea region, said, “The threat to the right and freedom of navigation is a global challenge and requires an international response. “Let us remember our responsibility as members of the Security Council to resolve these problems,” he said, urging a response at the Security Council level.
Korea, which began its term as a member of the board of directors on the 1st, also attended the meeting as a member and raised its voice.
Ambassador Hwang Joon-guk, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said, “The current situation in the Middle East is under imminent threat due to heightened tensions. “The dangerous situation in Gaza raises fears of serious ramifications and deterioration elsewhere,” he said. “It is urgent that all efforts be made to reduce tensions in the region, including in the Red Sea.”
He continued, “We are particularly concerned about the Houthis’ reckless and unlawful attacks on civilian vessels in the Red Sea,” and emphasized, “South Korea demands the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its 25 crew members captured on November 19 last year.”
He said, “We support the efforts of relevant countries to protect commercial vessels in the Red Sea, and support the call for prompt Security Council action on this issue.”
In addition, Ambassador Hwang promised that, as the chair of the Yemen Sanctions Committee, he would closely monitor the implementation of related sanctions.
The meeting on this day was focused on confirming the current situation and exchanging opinions among Security Council members, so no immediate conclusions were drawn.
Security Council members are expected to continue discussions and seek response measures, such as adopting a resolution or statement. It is reported that the Security Council is conducting informal consultations after the open meeting ended today.
Yemeni rebels Houthis, who are classified as pro-Iran forces, have continued to make threats by attacking civilian ships in the Red Sea area, saying they will respond to attacks on the Gaza Strip following a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian armed political faction Hamas on October 7 last year. It is reported that commercial ships passing through the Red Sea have been attacked 23 times since November 19 last year.
In particular, on the 30th of last month, an anti-ship ballistic missile was fired at a container ship owned by a Danish shipping company that was flying the Singapore flag. In response, the U.S. Central Command dispatched an aircraft carrier and helicopter to shoot down the missile and sink the Houthi ship.
The international community’s voices of condemnation are growing louder.
The United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on this day, saying, “If they continue to threaten free trade flows in the Red Sea, the global economy, and lives, the Houthis will do so.” “I will take responsibility for the results,” he warned.
[워싱턴=뉴시스]
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.