- Demonstrating leadership as the Security Council President in addressing major international peace and security issues concerning Gaza and Ukraine -

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, on the occasion of the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, presided consecutively over the Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, and the Security Council High-level Meeting on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine at the UN Headquarters in New York on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 23, in his capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of September.

※ Key participants in the Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question (September 23, 13:00–16:00, Security Council Chamber)

- Council Members: ministerial-level officials from Pakistan, Slovenia, Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Greece;  vice-ministerial-level official from Panama; and ambassadorial-level officials from France, the United States, China, Russia, and Somalia

- Non-Council Members: officials from Norway, Kuwait, Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia attended. The UN Secretary-General delivered a briefing.

※ Key participants in the Security Council High-level Meeting on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine (September 23, 16:00–19:00, Security Council Chamber)

- Council Members: ministerial-level officials from Slovenia, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Algeria, and Guyana; vice-ministerial-level officials from Panama, Greece, and Pakistan; and ambassadorial-level officials from China, Somalia, Russia, and Sierra Leone

- Non-Council Members: officials from Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, and Estonia attended. The UN Secretary-General also delivered a briefing.

The Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, was attended by numerous high-level officials from both Council and non-Council member states, including the Prime Minister of Norway and the Foreign Minister of Greece. Minister Cho stated that the situation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza stand as one of the gravest challenges to international peace and security, expressing concern over the famine unfolding in Gaza. He underscored that safe, sustainable, and unimpeded humanitarian access must be guaranteed without any further delay. Minister Cho also voiced serious concern over Israel’s ground operations to seize control of Gaza City and its decision to resume construction in the West Bank, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.

He reaffirmed that the two-state solution is the only viable pathway to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue and to build lasting peace, adding that the Republic of Korea will continue to play its active role in the international community’s efforts to build peace and stability in the region based on the two-state solution.

The subsequent Security Council briefing on Ukraine was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior officials. Minister Cho noted that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has continued for more than three years, and that the recent drone incursion into Poland’s airspace is a reminder that the battlefield may no longer be confined to Ukraine. He also stated that the indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and urged an immediate cessation.

Minister Cho reaffirmed the Republic of Korea’s unwavering support for upholding the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. He underscored that Korea has continuously supported Ukraine to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainian civilians and will continue to consider further measures.

Furthermore, Minister Cho expressed grave concern about military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, pointing out that the transfer of ballistic missiles and arms, as well as troop deployments constitute clear violations of the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions. In particular, he emphasized that such cooperation undermines the global non-proliferation regime, prolongs the conflict in Ukraine, and raises serious security concerns on the Korean Peninsula. Minister Cho strongly urged both Russia and the DPRK to immediately cease all activities that violate relevant Security Council resolutions.

Chairing the Security Council briefings on the Middle East and Ukraine served as an opportunity for the Republic of Korea, as President of the Council for September, to demonstrate its responsible role and strong commitment to the resolution of the most challenging international peace and security issues, while exercising leadership within the Council.

As a member of the UN Security Council for the 2024–2025 term, the Korean government will continue to faithfully fulfill its necessary role in addressing not only Korean Peninsula issues but also global challenges that threaten international peace and security.