STATEMENT BY
MR. ALAN E. GEORGE
POLITICAL COORDINATOR
Thank you, Madam President.
Let me also thank, Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, for his briefing.
Sierra Leone is concerned about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) recent launch of an ICBM, the Hwasong-19, with a capability and range that poses serious regional and global security threats. The fact that the Missile went higher in altitude and flew longer for a total of 86 minutes, more than any previous attempt, is also deeply concerning.
Additionally, statements by DPRK State officials, are especially troubling, including by the Head of State, President Kim Jong Un, referring to the weapon as its “final and ultimate ICBM” and that “the DPRK will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces”.
The current situation in the Korean Peninsula remains highly volatile, with potential for further escalation. The DPRK’s long-range missile and nuclear programs continue to pose serious challenges to peace and security in the region. We continue to urge the DPRK to refrain from further escalatory measures and to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at de-escalation.
The international community should remain committed to upholding peace and security in the region. We call upon all parties involved to prioritize diplomatic efforts and to work collaboratively toward a lasting resolution that addresses the underlying tensions. We also call on States with influence to engage DPRK authorities on working towards solutions for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Sierra Leone is of the firm view that a strong and unified Council response to the latest missile launch will reinforce our commitment to denuclearization and a peaceful resolution of conflicts, particularly in the Korean Peninsula. We stand ready to support all diplomatic initiatives and encourage the DPRK to engage bilaterally and multilaterally to unequivocally commit to transparent, complete, verifiable, irreversible, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament.
The DPRK’s blatant disregard and open violation of UNSC resolutions and the UN Charter undermines the authority of the organization and remains a significant challenge for the international community. While efforts over the years have not succeeded in convincing authorities to comply with the global safeguards and de facto international norm against nuclear testing, a strong independent verification mechanism is still necessary to ensure that the DPRK meets its international obligations.
In this regard, we wish to recall the importance of the work and report of the Panel Experts, and the regrettable non-renewal of the panel’s mandate. We take note of the creation of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team for Implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions Regarding the DPRK, with the stated goal “to assist [with] the full implementation of UN sanctions on the DPRK by publishing information based on rigorous inquiry into sanctions violations and evasion attempts”.
Additionally, we reiterate our call for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty’s (CTBT) entry into force, noting its valuable contribution to halting further modernization and increase in vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons, thereby advancing the goal of nuclear disarmament.
We conclude, Madam President, by echoing our previous call for the need for a holistic and comprehensive assessment of the nuclear programs of the DPRK, drawing upon the global effort for non-proliferation to promote international peace and security.
As Sierra Leone reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of disarmament, non-proliferation, and international peace and security, we reiterate our support for diplomatic efforts towards complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK and the Korean Peninsula.
I thank you.
