1. The Republic of Korea, as the chair country of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC), presided over its 11th Regular Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on May 31-June 1.

2. Cho Hyun, the ROK’s Ambassador to Austria and HCoC Chair for the 2012-2013 term noted in his inaugural speech the HCoC’s contribution to enhancing international trust and transparency regarding the proliferation of ballistic missiles over the last ten years since its establishment in 2002. He highlighted the need for a larger number of countries to join the HCoC, the only relevant international norm regarding ballistic missiles, and faithfully implement it.

3. In the Meeting, the participants discussed means to improve transparency, such as prior notification ahead of missile launches and the submission of an annual report. They also discussed the need to expand the membership from the current 134 countries and to raise the awareness on the Code. Through the discussions, the delegates reaffirmed the international need to strengthen the HCoC.

4. The issue of North Korea’s missile launch in April was also raised in the Meeting, with the ROK and many other countries pointing out that the launch was a grave challenge to regional security and global efforts toward missile non-proliferation.

5. After the Meeting, Ambassador Cho hosted a luncheon for UN correspondents stationed in Vienna to explain the outcome of the Meeting. During the luncheon, the Ambassador voiced his will to make efforts to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles, including reinforcing the implementation of the HCoC as well as increasing the number of the signatories of the HCoC. This year marks the 10th anniversary of its establishment.

                                   Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation