Ban Ki-moon Attends Jeju Forum World Leaders Session
Criticizes Russia for Veto Abuse Protecting North Korea
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) inability to prevent North Korea's nuclear and missile development, urging the Permanent 5 (P5) members to refrain from exercising their veto power. This was interpreted as a direct criticism of China and Russia, especially Russia, which have acted as North Korea's 'backers' in the Security Council.
Ban made these remarks on the 30th at the Jeju Forum's 'World Leaders Session' held at the Jeju International Convention Center in Seogwipo, Jeju. The session was chaired by former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yoom Young-hwan and included participants such as Ban Ki-moon, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Rebecca Fatima Santa Maria, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is speaking at the 'World Leaders Session' of the Jeju Forum held on the 30th at the Jeju International Convention Center in Seogwipo, Jeju. [Image source=Yonhap News]
In response to Yoom's question, "What do you think about Russia recently defying all UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea?" Ban said, "The Security Council should pressure and activate expert panels to closely monitor nuclear weapons, but the current situation is truly shameful," adding, "Russia has continuously supported North Korea; I suspect it is to receive military supplies."
He continued, "Russia is truly notorious," criticizing, "It is the country that has exercised its veto power the most in UN resolutions adopted so far." He further emphasized, "The Security Council tries to pass resolutions every time there is a serious provocation by North Korea, but it is paralyzed due to the overuse of veto power by the permanent members," and warned, "If the Security Council is paralyzed, global peace and security will also be paralyzed."
Ban also stated, "The UN General Assembly has adopted certain measures requiring P5 countries to appear before the Assembly and explain their reasons whenever they exercise veto power in the Security Council," adding, "Even if the P5 countries endure such embarrassment, it is difficult to change the situation. The international community must strongly, continuously, and repeatedly warn to change such decision-making."
Secretary-General Kao also expressed concern, saying, "Currently, the international community is spreading a crisis of 'strategic distrust,'" and "In the crisis of multipolarization, we are paralyzed, and the UN is not functioning properly." He added, "Global leaders must gather to discuss the crisis and find solutions," and stated, "Rather than launching new systems (alliances) through fierce competition and unilateral actions, existing ones should be strengthened."
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