1. The Government of the Republic of Korea congratulates the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on winning the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2013. We commend that the OPCW, which aims to completely eliminate all chemical weapons in the entire world, is leading the global efforts, along with the United Nations, for the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.

2. For the total elimination of chemical weapons, which is a common goal shared by the international community, the ROK Government urges those countries that have not yet acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including North Korea, to do so as early as possible.

3. We are confident that the OPCW will safely and successfully complete its challenging mission to destroy all chemical weapons in Syria. The ROK Government will continue to support the efforts of the OPCW to this end. 


                       Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation