8 January 2025
Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr. President.
I also wish to thank Assistant-Secretary General Khaled Khiari (DPPA) for his briefing.
Today, I want to convey two messages:
First, let me start by strongly condemning the recent intermediate range ballistic missile launch on 6 January by the DPRK.
The DPRK’s actions are unacceptable. The launch is a blatant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. Once again, the DPRK is demonstrating its profound lack of respect for this Council and the global non-proliferation regime. That is why Denmark jointly called for this urgent meeting.
The Council has repeatedly called on Pyongyang to comply with its obligations under international law and to cease its ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programmes. Let me clear: The DPRK must completely, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle these programmes and immediately return to compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and other international safeguards. This latest launch is a sheer provocation and is deeply disturbing.
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Second, Mr. President,
Denmark is deeply concerned by this pattern of continued North Korean escalation. A pattern that clearly and dangerously increases the threat to regional and global peace and security.
Since the start of 2022, the DPRK has recklessly launched over 100 ballistic missiles of various types and ranges. We must not allow the sheer volume of DPRK’s launches to normalize its unlawful and destabilizing behaviour.
Furthermore, in the past year the DPRK has illegally supplied ballistic missiles as well as other weapons and ammunition to support Russia’s unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine. The deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to fight alongside Russian troops in this unprovoked war is a particularly grave concern and emphasises that Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security are closely linked.
This has happened despite sanctions imposed by the Council prohibiting any transfer of arms and related materials between the DPRK and any member state of the United Nations. Yet a permanent member of this Council has decided to violate these resolutions.
Mr. President,
In March 2024 we saw a veto against the renewal of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1718 Sanctions Committee, a valuable instrument that the Council had supported and relied on for almost 15 years. This has weakened the Council’s ability to monitor and address sanctions violations.
We also note a troubling statement by a Minister from a permanent member of this Council declaring that the denuclearisation of the DPRK is ‘off the table’. This statement not only undermines the Council’s long-standing efforts. It also emboldens Pyongyang to continue its destabilizing activities.
With every passing year, the DPRK’s nuclear ambitions become increasingly evident.
The international community must respond decisively. We must reinforce the implementation of sanctions and ensure that all diplomatic avenues are pursued to curb the DPRK’s unlawful and destabilizing activities.
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Mr. President, to conclude,
Denmark will continue to call on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations.
We also call on the DPRK to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue. To do its part to foster lasting peace and stability through the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Thank you.