1. The Government of the Republic of Korea deeply regrets that a draft UN Security Council resolution to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 1874 (2009) was not adopted on the morning of March 28 (New York time) due to the veto by the Russian Federation, despite the overwhelming support by the absolute majority of the Security Council members.

2. The Panel of Experts has carried out its role in monitoring the DPRK, which, in overt disregard of numerous Security Council resolutions, has continued to violate sanctions through various illicit activities such as nuclear and missile provocations, weapons exports, dispatch of workers overseas, cyber heists, and military cooperation with the Russian Federation, and advanced its nuclear and missile capabilites.

3. The Government of the Republic of Korea clearly points out that the Russian Federation, despite its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has made an irresponsible decision of going against the will of the other members, thereby significantly undermining the UN sanctions regime and the credibility of the Council both of which the Russian Federation itself had advocated, at a time when the UN's capacity for monitoring the implementation of sanctions should be further strengthened.

4. Based on the overwhelming support demonstrated by this Security Council vote, the Government of the Republic of Korea will closely cooperate with the international community for a strict implementation of sanctions on the DPRK, while firmly upholding the existing UN sanctions regime against the DPRK to ensure that the DPRK stops violating Security Council resolutions and returns to the path of denuclearization.