Ms. Nakamitsu famous that in current months there had been allegations of transfers of ballistic missiles and ammunition from the DPRK (extra generally often called North Korea) to Russia, in violation of Council resolutions, allegedly for use in Moscow’s persevering with invasion of Ukraine.
“UN Security Council sanctions regimes are at the top of such international collective efforts for the maintenance of international peace and security, and to prevent illicit transfer of arms,” she said.
“I recall that the relevant Security Council resolutions are legally binding on all UN Member States.”
Sanctions committee
Ms. Nakamitsu additionally referred to the ultimate report of the Panel of Experts that supported the Committee overseeing the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council in resolution 1718.
The report acknowledged that the “Panel is investigating reports from Member States about supplies by the [DPRK] of conventional arms and munitions in contravention of sanctions.”
The Panel was reviewing, earlier than the expiration of its mandate, a report by the Government in Kyiv on missile particles recovered in Ukraine, following details about short-range ballistic missiles manufactured within the DPRK and utilized by Russian forces, she stated.
Although the mandate of the Panel of Experts expired on 30 April, the 1718 Committee continues its work and can oversee the implementation of the sanctions regime.
States should act responsibly
Ms. Nakamitsu acknowledged that importing, transit, producing, and exporting states “must act responsibly at every step” alongside the arms and ammunition switch chain to stop diversion, illicit trafficking, and misuse.
“Any transfer of weapons and ammunition must be compliant with the applicable international legal framework, including of course, relevant Security Council resolutions and the sanctions regimes that they establish,” she stated.
“As the Secretary-General has stated, any relationship that any country has with [DPRK], including [Russia], must entirely abide by the relevant Security Council sanctions,” she recalled.
DPRK’s nuclear programme
Further in her briefing, Ms. Nakamitsu famous that the DPRK continues its nuclear weapons programme and growth of its technique of supply, having “significantly increased” ballistic missile launches in recent times.
Since 2022, the DPRK carried out over 100 launches of ballistic missiles, together with solid-fuel inter-continental ballistic missiles and house launch automobiles utilizing ballistic missile know-how.
These have been in violation of a number of Security Council resolutions, Ms. Nakamitsu stated.
She additionally referred to the report from nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that the discharge of heat water from the cooling system of the Light Water Reactor at Yongbyon was indicative that the reactor has reached criticality.
“The IAEA also observed indications of the ongoing operation of the reported centrifuge enrichment facility in Yongbyon, and expansion of another facility in Kangson Complex,” she stated.
Additionally, whereas there have been no indications of change on the Nuclear Test Site at Punggye-ri not too long ago, the positioning stays occupied.
A large view of the Security Council assembly on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Malicious cyber actions
Ms. Nakamitsu additionally expressed concern over the experiences of malicious cyber actions attributed to Pyongyang-affiliated actors, noting that malicious exercise continues by the focusing on of cryptocurrency-related corporations.
Other traits noticed embody the focusing on of provide chains.
She burdened that such reported actions weren’t in line with the General Assembly framework for accountable State behaviour in the usage of data and communication applied sciences (ICT).
Instead, such acts imperil worldwide peace and safety and undermines belief and stability between States, she stated.
Diplomacy, the one path to peace
In conclusion, Ms. Nakamitsu reiterated the decision for DPRK to conform totally with its worldwide obligations and urged all States to keep away from actions that would escalate tensions.
“Diplomatic engagement remains the only pathway to sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” she stated, urging the resumption of talks and fostering an setting conducive to dialogue.