Non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Security Council, 9912th meeting

Persistent pursuit of nuclear weapons by Pyongyang continues to undermine global non-proliferation regime, Assistant Secretary-General tells Security Council.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 01:35:42
• Production Date: 7 May 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: JAMES F. BYRNES; MOHAMED KHALED KHIARI
• Subject Topical: NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT; NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION; NUCLEAR WEAPONS; BALLISTIC MISSILES
• Geographic Subject: DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
• MAMS Id: 3395031
• Parent Id: 3375222

Description

The persistent pursuit of nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile programmes by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea — in violation of Security Council resolutions — continues to undermine the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, a senior United Nations official told the 15-nation organ today. 

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, reported that Pyongyang has continued to conduct ballistic-missile launches, openly display undeclared uranium-enrichment facilities and communicate its intention to further develop its nuclear and ballistic-missile capabilities. “At this critical juncture, it remains as important as ever to continue to highlight the urgent need to reduce nuclear risk, prevent any use of a nuclear weapon and bring about their total elimination,” he stressed. 

He then recalled that the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1874 (2009) supported efforts to monitor the implementation of the resolutions established in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile programmes. While the Council did not renew the Panel’s mandate beyond 30 April 2024, the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) continues to oversee the sanctions regime. “We recall the obligations for all Member States to implement the relevant sanctions measures,” he said. 

“The broader security landscape on the Korean Peninsula remains tense,” he went on to say, pointing to heightened military activity, limited avenues for both intra-Korean and regional dialogue, nuclear risks and “growing concerns over the potential for miscalculation”. Recalling that the Secretary-General has consistently underscored that sustainable peace and denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula “must be anchored in dialogue and diplomacy”, he welcomed “any efforts” towards this end. He also called on Pyongyang to facilitate the return of the UN country team to “strengthen support for its people and advance the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development]”. 

• Briefer: Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific 
• Briefer: Mr. James Byrne, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Open Source Centre 
• Statements: All Council members 
• Statement: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 
• Statement: Japan 

Related Sites and Documents

UN Press Coverage

S/PV.9912