UN Ambassador: "North Korea, which provided missiles to Russia, may also export to other countries"

Hwang Jun-guk, South Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations, strongly condemned Russia on the 10th (local time) for launching North Korean-made missiles toward Ukraine. He also warned that the actual use of such North Korean ballistic missiles could lead to an expansion of North Korea's arms exports in the future.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the Ukraine war held at the UN Headquarters in New York, Ambassador Hwang stated, "Russia's use of weapons illegally obtained from North Korea violates the Security Council resolutions that Russia had previously supported," and "We strongly condemn this." Earlier, the U.S. government announced that Russia attacked Ukraine three times?on the 30th of last month, and on the 2nd and 6th of this month?using North Korean ballistic missiles. This constitutes a violation of Security Council resolutions banning all forms of arms trade with North Korea.

Ambassador Hwang pointed out that "North Korean missiles are carriers of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and North Korea claims they can also be equipped with nuclear warheads," suggesting that their use in Ukraine could lead to exports to other countries. He emphasized, "This launch will provide North Korea with significant technical and military insights," and added, "North Korea may become bolder and export missiles to other countries to raise funds necessary for illegal nuclear and ballistic missile development, so a joint response is necessary."

He also highlighted the serious implications that the North Korean missiles launched toward Ukraine have for security on the Korean Peninsula. Ambassador Hwang raised his voice, stating, "The ballistic missile that flew 460 km corresponds to the distance between Wonsan in North Korea and Busan in South Korea, which represents a hypothetical attack on the Republic of Korea," calling it an existential threat. He continued, "The only necessary condition for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing," urging all member states to comply with Security Council resolutions and to halt military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

Additionally, Ambassador Hwang condemned Russia's attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian facilities. He said, "Due to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainians are suffering indescribable pain, and we cannot help but be horrified by the intensified attacks on civilians and civilian facilities since last month," adding, "These are illegal acts under international humanitarian law, and those responsible must be held accountable." Furthermore, he stated, "We call for Russia's immediate withdrawal and express solidarity with Ukraine to protect its sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity," and "As President Yoon Suk-yeol announced during his visit to Ukraine last July, the Republic of Korea will continue to support Ukraine in the areas of security, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction."