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7958th Security Council Meeting: Non-proliferation; DPRK
United States Representative Vows Self-Defence ‘by Other Means if Necessary’
The Security Council decided today to extend the number of individuals and entities targeted by sanctions first imposed under resolution 1718 (2006) — an asset freeze and travel ban for those involved in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear-weapon programme.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2356 (2017) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council condemned, in the strongest terms, Pyongyang’s recent nuclear-weapon and ballistic-missile-development activities, including a series of launches and other related activities conducted since 9 September 2016, in violation and “flagrant disregard” of various relevant Council resolutions.
The Council reaffirmed its decision that the Pyongyang must abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and immediately cease all related activities. It further decided to apply measures specified in paragraph 8(d) and 8(e) of resolution 1718 (2006) to individuals and entities listed in Annexes I and II of the text adopted today.
Specifically, those measures mandated all Member States immediately to freeze the funds, other assets and economic resources on their respective territories that were either owned or controlled by the persons and entities listed in Annexes I and II, designated by the Council or its “1718 Committee” as being engaged in or providing support for Pyongyang’s nuclear-related programme — and to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories by individuals listed in Annex I.
Following the adoption, the representative of the United States — the resolution’s sponsor — said the Council’s unity sent a strong message to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: “Stop firing ballistic missiles or face the consequences.” The pressure would not cease until Pyongyang ended its provocative and illegal actions, she emphasized, recalling that the latter had openly stated that it sought the ability to deliver nuclear weapons over long distances in order to reach cities in the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan. While the United States supported a diplomatic resolution of the dispute, all options nevertheless remained on the table, she said, adding that her country would defend itself “by other means if necessary”.
Japan’s representative said Pyongyang’s continuing provocations trampled upon international efforts to resolve the nuclear and missile issue peacefully, constituting a direct challenge to his country’s security, as well as that of the region and beyond. The international community must not allow Pyongyang’s total defiance of the Security Council to go unanswered, he emphasized.
China’s representative expressed support for the “double strengthening” of the non-proliferation regime and for promoting peace through dialogue. It was incumbent upon all sides to exercise restraint and build mutual trust, he said, calling attention to China’s “suspension-for-suspension” proposal, which called for suspending Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile activities, as well as large-scale military exercises by the United States and the Republic of Korea.
The Republic of Korea’s representative noted that today’s resolution built upon the existing sanctions regime and expanded its scope, thereby further restricting Pyongyang’s ability to finance its illicit activities. “We sincerely hope that the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] heeds the concerted demands of the international community and seizes the opportunity, without further delay, to chart a new beginning in inter-Korean relations, as well as in its relations with the international community.”
Also speaking today were representatives of Italy, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, France, Sweden, Uruguay, Egypt, Senegal, Ethiopia and Bolivia.
The meeting began at 4:46 p.m. and ended at 5:39 p.m.
