January 8th 2025
Mr. President,
I would like to thank Assistant Secretary General Khiari for his briefing.
Mr. President,
On January 6, North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which crashed off the coast of Japan. The North Korean authorities once again sought to highlight the advanced features of this missile, including its hypersonic nature, which we read as a challenge to the resolutions adopted regarding North Korea. We assure Japan and the Republic of Korea of our solidarity in the face of this new provocation.
This launch follows countless ballistic missile tests carried out by the North Korean regime in recent years, in flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions. Just two months ago, North Korea launched an intercontinental-range ballistic missile.
These illegal launches are accompanied by irresponsible nuclear rhetoric from the North Korean regime. In September 2023, North Korea amended its constitution to include the possession of nuclear weapons, again in violation of Security Council resolutions.
The pursuit of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs threatens regional stability. It flouts the authority of this Council, which has unanimously adopted resolutions aimed at putting an end to these programs. It undermines the non-proliferation regime, and consequently undermines international peace and security.
In this context, we deplore Russia’s endorsement of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and in particular the Russian Foreign Minister’s statement that the issue of North Korea’s denuclearization is “closed”. We can only reiterate our concern at the deepening of the illicit military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The deployment of North Korean troops in Russia represents an unacceptable escalation, and their participation in a war of aggression against a sovereign state is a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. In return for supporting Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, North Korea is seeking impunity and assistance in developing its illegal military programs.
It is therefore in the interest of all States to ensure compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and to constrain North Korea to cease these destabilizing activities. France reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of these resolutions.
In this respect, we will continue to actively support the work of the 1718 Committee. Despite Russia’s veto of the renewal of its panel of experts, the Committee’s role remains essential in overseeing the implementation of the resolutions and informing all member states of the state of implementation.
Mr. President,
Once again, we call on North Korea to comply with its international obligations, to abandon its illegal weapons of mass destruction programs and to opt for the path of dialogue, with a view to complete, irreversible, and verifiable denuclearization.
Thank you.