October 30, 2024
I will now make a statement in my national capacity.
I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his statement.
The allegations we have just heard are deeply troubling and, if confirmed, would constitute not only violations of international law, but also a development with potentially serious consequences for European, Asian and global security.
Allow me to elaborate on this.
Firstly, the legal aspect seems very clear to us: such a deployment of armed forces troops by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, if confirmed, would add to the growing number of wellfounded reports of illegal arms transfers to Russia. Indeed, any arms transaction with the DPRK constitutes a violation of this Council’s sanctions. This concerns the sale, purchase, import and export of weapons to or from the DPRK. Under Resolution 2270, the hosting of trainers, advisors, or other officials for purposes related to military, paramilitary or police training is also prohibited. And while Resolution 2397 called for the repatriation of all foreign workers of the DPRK, it is inconceivable that the presence of thousands of troops could be reconciled with the letter, let alone the spirit, of these binding resolutions.
Thus, a violation of international law supports another – violations of sanctions against the DPRK support Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
In this context, Switzerland deeply regrets that the extension of the mandate of the panel of experts on the DPRK failed due to a Russian veto, while this panel was investigating allegations of illegal arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia.
Secondly, like the vast majority of UN members, Switzerland condemns Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. It is appalling that, despite the clear and repeated calls from a very large number of members of the General Assembly and the International Court of Justice, Russia continues its military aggression. Sending armed forces to support it would run counter not only to these calls, but also to the spirit of the UN Charter itself. We call on the DPRK and all third parties to refrain from any action likely to fuel Russian military aggression. And we once again call on Russia to immediately cease all hostilities and withdraw its troops from all Ukrainian territory.
Finally, the solicitation of such military support in direct violation of Council resolutions would further undermine the non-proliferation architecture established half a century ago under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Russia, as a depositary state, is called upon to strengthen, not weaken it. The possible involvement of the DPRK’s armed forces in Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine also raises the specter of a supra-regional expansion of hostilities. Russia, as a permanent member of this Security Council, is called upon to maintain international peace and security, not undermine it.
Switzerland believes that this body has a responsibility and a duty to respond to the widely shared call for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Switzerland continues to support the Secretary-General in seeking a peaceful solution, and remains ready to contribute to all efforts to promote peace in accordance with the UN Charter, in particular the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Thank you.