Remarks by
H.E. Kang Kyung-wha
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Korea

Conference on Disarmament
27 February 2018

Madam President,
Distinguished delegates,

I am delighted to be with you today at the Conference on Disarmament, but I am also disheartened that progress in the field of disarmament and arms control remains stagnated under deep divergence of views.

Lending urgency to the need for a break-through out of the situation is the increasing complexity of the international security landscape: the continued development of nuclear weapons by North Korea and the use of chemical weapons in Syria, which is further complicated by new threats from non-state actors and emerging technologies. In these worrying times, the CD must find a way to restore its credibility as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum.

The CD has a proud history of having been the center stage for the formulation of many of the instruments that form the basis of today’s disarmament and nonproliferation regime. So there is experience.  And I do believe there is strong will in this room to bring the CD back to its proper place.

I truly hope we will make meaningful headway this year under the able leadership of Ambassador Veronika Bard and the other P6 based on the decision of February 16 to establish subsidiary bodies to deepen discussions and reach common understanding on the CD’s agenda items. My delegation will render full support for the revitalization of the CD, which will be an instrumental and pivotal step forward for global peace and security.

Madam President,
Distinguished delegates,

This month, a landmark event for peace took place in PyeongChang, Korea. The 2018 Winter Olympics, which ended just two days ago, jump-started South and North Korean dialogue and engagement after years of hiatus, and demonstrated the power of the Olympics to generate the momentum for peace and reconciliation. North Korea is also expected to participate in the Winter Paralympics, which will be held from 9th to 18th of March. 

My government will work to build on this initial breakthrough to further advance inter-Korean engagement as well as the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the establishment of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

At the same time, we must not get carried away and lose sight of the stark reality. We remember all too clearly that in 2017 alone, North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test and test-launched 20 ballistic missiles. Such provocations are a blatant affront to one of the major accomplishments of this very body, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-ban Treaty (CTBT). They also gravely undermine the international nonproliferation regime based on the NPT that the international community has worked so hard to build and preserve over the years.

What is needed most at this juncture is a strong, united commitment to the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions in order to compel Pyongyang to change course and come to dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the nuclear problem.  The Republic of Korea is actively participating in these efforts and working closely with our partners to track and stop North Korea’s attempts to evade the sanctions.

North Korea must realize that as long as it continues down the path of nuclear development, sanctions will remain in place and it will only be met with further sanctions and pressure. However, sanctions are not an end in themselves, and are not meant to bring down North Korea, but to make it understand that its future lies not in nuclear weapons but in working with the global community towards denuclearization. Our consistent message should be that it must   make the right decision, and if it does we are ready to work together towards a brighter and prosperous future for North Korea.

I want to be very clear that while the Republic of Korea endeavors to engage the North, we remain steadfast in our goal of the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea. We know that our ultimate dream of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula requires a denuclearized North Korea. As we continue to seek realistic and effective ways to resume denuclearization talks, we count on your continued support and interest.

Madam President,
Distinguished delegates,

As a country faced with the grave threat of North Korea’s nuclear and missile progress, the Republic of Korea is a strong advocate of the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons. We realize there are differing views as to how to achieve that vision. My government’s firm position is that any nuclear disarmament measure should be pursued in a progressive manner, taking into account the security concerns of all parties involved.

And we cannot stand idly by. Much needs to be done, and at a faster pace. The international community must, first of all, reaffirm its strong commitment to strengthening the NPT as the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. I do feel a sense of shared resolve among us in this room that the upcoming 2020 NPT Review Conference must not repeat the failure of 2015.

One issue on which the CD could make substantial and immediate contribution for the success of the 2020 NPT Review Conference is on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). There has already been significant progress. In addition to the previous 2015 GGE Report, the forthcoming report of the High-level Expert Preparatory Group, which the Republic of Korea is part of, will serve as useful guidance for future negotiators. These hard-won achievements could also serve as a catalyst to drive the CD forward. A transformed CD initiated by progress on the FMCT front is the best hope the CD can offer to the NPT review process.

Madam President,
Distinguished delegates,

In these times of protracted conflicts and security challenges and heightened geopolitical tension, the CD is entrusted with the critical mission of promoting international peace and security through disarmament.  If the impasse in the Conference continues, it will incur a high cost beyond the field of disarmament, especially when the three pillars of the United Nation – peace and security, development and human rights – are more linked than ever before.

I truly hope the wave of positive change can start here in Geneva.  The Republic of Korea will be a responsible and reliable partner in these efforts.  Thank you.