Brussels, 24 November 2023 (TDI): Joseph Borrel, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy strongly condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for launching a military satellite with ballistic missile technology on November 21.
This action poses a clear and immediate threat to international peace and security and is considered a violation of UN Security Council resolutions which prohibit such launches.
He urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cease all illegal and dangerous activities (Satellite Launch) that escalate military tensions in the region. It is critical that all UN Member States, particularly members of the UN Security Council, insist on the DPRK resuming meaningful dialogue with all parties.
Furthermore, on behalf of the European Union, he called for the full implementation of UN sanctions with the aim of persuading the DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile programs, and existing nuclear programs.
He added that this abandonment must occur in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner, with an immediate cessation of all related activities.
He also calls on the DPRK and Russia to abstain from any exchanges of military equipment, missile technology, or ammunition and to adhere strictly to successive UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting any arms exports or imports involving the DPRK.
He expresses deep concern about the deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK potentially in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The only viable path to sustainable peace and security on the Korean peninsula is immediate DPRK compliance with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions. The DPRK can never attain the status of a nuclear weapon state in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
He also urges the DPRK on behalf of the European Union to refrain from testing nuclear weapons, reaffirm the moratorium in that regard, and return immediately to full compliance with the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state. Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement must be brought into force.
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In addition, he expressed his concerns about actions in space that seem dangerous and could make things worse. Following the new EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. The EU promises to do everything it can to stop, discourage, and, if needed, respond to space threats.
He also expressed the EU’s full support to the Republic of Korea and Japan. He added that we are prepared to collaborate with all relevant partners to promote meaningful diplomacy that aims to build sustainable peace and security through the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
