Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Soosuk Lim

November 22, 2022  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Over the immense loss of lives caused by the earthquake in West Java, Indonesia, on November 21, the Korean government extends deep condolences and consolation to the bereaved families and the people of Indonesia.

The Korean government has decided to provide US$500,000 in humanitarian assistance for Indonesia.

The Korean government hopes that its assistance will help relieve the suffering of the earthquake victims of Indonesia.

Next, let me share with you developments regarding the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) provocations by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The United Nations Security Council held an open meeting around 10:00 am, November 21, New York time, which the Republic of Korea (ROK) joined in its capacity as a stakeholder.

The UN Security Council open meeting came only about two weeks after the latest one held on November 4 in response to the ballistic missile launches by the DPRK.

In the meeting, ROK Ambassador to the UN Hwang Joonkook strongly condemned the launch of a new type of ICBM by the DPRK last week as a provocation in complete disregard of multiple international obligations and the livelihood of the people in the DPRK. He went on to stress that the Security Council should make firm responses.

After the meeting, the ROK side participated in the joint media stakeout held among 14 countries, including the United States and Japan, to send a clear message -- condemning the DPRK’s eight ICBM launches this year alone, urging the DPRK to abandon its nuclear programs and return to denuclearization talks, calling for the unity of the UN Security Council members, and calling on all countries to fully implement the relevant resolutions.

Going forward, the ROK government will collaborate closely with its key partners, including Security Council member states, in order for the international community to send a resolute message to the DPRK over its repeated violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

Lastly, the Mission of the Republic of Korea to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will open today.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, while attending the NATO Summit in June as the first Korean President to do so, expressed the will to contribute actively to safeguarding the rules-based international order and to establish Korea’s mission to NATO.

The Mission, when opened, is expected to help further strengthen Korea-NATO cooperation based on such common values as freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)