Mr President,
We also thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing and welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea.
The sirens that went off a few days ago in Seoul and Okinawa remind us of the potentially grave impact that an accident linked to the numerous missile tests could have on the civilian population. These sirens are a warning signal in the face of a tense security situation exacerbated by each missile launch.
Switzerland notes with great concern the high frequency of these launches and welcomes the holding of this meeting. The Council must not remain passive in the face of these tests which, together with the DPRK's nuclear program, constitute a threat to the international community.
Allow me to emphasize three points:
First, any launch using ballistic missile technology by the DPRK is a violation of the resolutions of this Council. The fact that the latest rocket was intended to put a military observation satellite into orbit rather than to carry a weapon of mass destruction, and that the trajectory was announced in advance whereas the launches of recent years were unannounced, does not change the fact that this is a violation of international law. Faced with this, it is our duty as a member of this Council to condemn this latest launch and to respond to it. We also call on the DPRK to renounce any future launch attempts.
Secondly, while the obligations arising from the resolutions apply primarily to the DPRK, they also apply to all States, which are required to effectively implement the Security Council's sanctions. As members of this Council and as part of our commitments as States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, we all have a shared obligation to combat the proliferation of nuclear weapons and must commit ourselves to disarmament and to maintaining the nuclear taboo.
Thirdly, we must not forget the plight of the people of the DPRK. The heavy restrictions put in place by the DPRK in connection with the pandemic are still seriously hampering international humanitarian aid. Following the WHO's announcement declaring the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency of international concern, we hope that the DPRK's borders will be opened up to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. We therefore welcome the fact that this Council, through its 1718 Committee, has agreed to update the note specifying the implementation of Resolution 2664 in the context of the DPRK.
Mr President,
This Council plays an essential role in encouraging dialogue, de-escalation and the search for diplomatic solutions. These are essential instruments to facilitate the implementation of a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula. We have a shared responsibility as well as a common objective in this direction and we continue our commitment so that this Council can find its common voice.
Thank you very much.