High-Level Public Discussion Held on the Theme of 'Cybersecurity'
Hwang Jun-guk, South Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations, announced that during South Korea's presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in June, the council will convene meetings at any time in response to provocations from North Korea.
Hwang Jun-guk, South Korean Ambassador to the United Nations, held a press briefing on the 23rd (local time) at the South Korean Mission to the UN in New York, explaining South Korea's plans as the chair country in June. New York ? Photo by Kwon Haeyoung
On the 23rd (local time), Ambassador Hwang held a press briefing at the South Korean Mission to the UN in New York, stating, "As the Security Council president, we are prepared to convene Security Council meetings whenever necessary in response to North Korea's provocations."
He emphasized, "North Korea has announced plans to launch three additional military reconnaissance satellites this year and continues its threatening nuclear activities," adding, "There is always a possibility of provocations."
South Korea has been participating as a non-permanent elected member of the Security Council since this year. The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among the 15 member states in alphabetical order, with the president presiding over all official and informal meetings during their tenure and representing the council. The president also has the authority to convene emergency meetings if necessary. South Korea will assume the presidency next month, marking its first time in 10 years since May 2014.
Ambassador Hwang explained, "The president consults with council members to decide which agenda items to address, when, and how to lead the discussions," adding, "This role is important as it can influence the direction of discussions on major international issues and shape international public opinion."
With ongoing provocations from North Korea, South Korea's presidency is expected to strengthen discussions on North Korean issues within the Security Council. Currently, discussions on North Korea at the council level are stagnant. Recently, the expert panel that monitored the implementation of UN sanctions on North Korea was disbanded after 15 years due to Russia's veto.
Regarding this, Ambassador Hwang said, "We are discussing various measures with allies such as the United States and Japan to fill the gap and establish alternative mechanisms," adding, "There was related discussion at an informal Security Council meeting just the day before, and this discussion may expand beyond the Security Council to the General Assembly level." He also explained, "It is necessary to regularize official Security Council meetings on North Korean human rights, as was done from 2014 to 2017."
During South Korea's presidency, a high-level open debate on cybersecurity will also be held, chaired directly by Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol. Cybersecurity is considered related to North Korea's nuclear program, as North Korea actively steals virtual assets to fund its nuclear development.
Ambassador Hwang stated, "Malicious cyber activities such as cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and theft of sensitive information and virtual assets transcend national borders," adding, "This is a security threat faced by all countries, regardless of whether they are developed or developing, Western or non-Western, democratic or authoritarian."
Additionally, at the request of the UN Secretariat, an open debate on children and armed conflict is planned, with efforts underway to have former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attend.
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