Madam President,
We thank Under Secretary General Rosemary DiCarlo and Mr. Jonah Leff of Conflict Armament Research for their presentations. We welcome the participation of representatives from Ukraine, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the European Union in our deliberations.
The reports that have just been made are deeply disturbing and, if confirmed, would constitute not only violations of international law, but would represent a development that risks having serious consequences for European, Asian and global security. Three aspects seem particularly important to us:
Firstly, from a legal point of view, a deployment of armed forces troops by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, if proven, would add to the growing number of substantiated reports of illegal arms transfers to Russia. Any arms transaction with the DPRK constitutes a violation of this Council's sanctions. This includes the sale, purchase, import and export of weapons to or from the DPRK. The use of KN-23 ballistic missiles and the impact of their use on the Ukrainian civilian population also raise questions about respect for international humanitarian law.
Military cooperation as described would also be prohibited under resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2270. While Resolution 2397 provided for the repatriation of all foreign workers from the DPRK, the presence of thousands of troops is irreconcilable with the letter, let alone the spirit, of this and other binding resolutions. One violation of international law thus feeds another: breaches of sanctions against the DPRK support Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
Switzerland deeply regrets that the extension of the mandate of the panel of experts on the DPRK failed due to a Russian veto, even though the group was investigating allegations of illegal arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia.
Secondly, Switzerland condemns Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. It is appalling that, despite clear and repeated calls from the General Assembly and the International Court of Justice, Russia continues its military aggression. Sending armed forces from third countries to support it would run counter not only to these appeals, but also to the spirit of the UN Charter itself. We call on the DPRK and all third parties to refrain from any action likely to fuel Russian military aggression. And we once again call on Russia to cease hostilities immediately and withdraw its troops from all Ukrainian territory.
Finally, with regard to the non-proliferation architecture carefully constructed over the past five decades, we call on the DPRK to take concrete steps to abandon its nuclear weapons, ballistic missile and related programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and to abide by its self-imposed moratorium on nuclear testing. Switzerland calls on the DPRK to return to the NPT and IAEA safeguards as soon as possible, and to sign and ratify the CTBT.
Russia, as the depositary state of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, is called upon to strengthen it, not weaken it.
Madam President,
This Council has the responsibility and duty to respond to the dual challenge of military aggression against Ukraine and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
With regard to Ukraine, Switzerland continues to support the search for a peaceful solution, and remains ready to contribute to all efforts to promote peace in accordance with the UN Charter, in particular the principles of territorial integrity and independence. Nothing can justify the disastrous humanitarian, social, psychological and economic consequences of this military aggression. It harms everyone and benefits no one.
We will also continue our commitment to a denuclearized and peaceful Korean Peninsula, and encourage the use of the Secretary-General's good offices for a return to dialogue, deescalation and the search for diplomatic solutions. We encourage the DPRK to engage in constructive dialogue with the Council and the UN system.
I thank you.