Minister Kang Kyung-wha Requests Continuous Support from Korean Government for Complete Denuclearization and Peace on the Korean Peninsula

Attendance at the 2nd Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Treaty Stockholm Initiative Ministerial Meeting
Detailed Explanation of the Korean Government's Efforts... Participating Countries Adopt Joint Declaration and Nuclear Disarmament Annex

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 25th (local time), Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha attended the "2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Stockholm Initiative on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)" held in Berlin, Germany, where she detailed the South Korean government's efforts for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace, and requested the continued support of the international community.

The ministerial meeting was attended by ministers, vice ministers, or senior representatives from 16 non-nuclear-weapon states, including South Korea. This second ministerial meeting followed the first meeting held last June in Stockholm, Sweden, and was convened to exchange views on nuclear disarmament issues among major non-nuclear-weapon states and seek a joint stance to ensure the success of the NPT Review Conference marking its 50th anniversary this year.

A Foreign Ministry official stated, "Minister Kang thoroughly explained the South Korean government's efforts for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, and requested the international community's continued support. It is assessed that South Korea, through this meeting, will actively participate in discussions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, which are major issues in international disarmament and security, thereby contributing to expanding its status and role as a responsible middle power in the international community."

The participating countries exchanged views on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues aimed at strengthening the NPT regime amid current international security situations and achieving outcomes for the 2020 NPT Review Conference. They adopted a joint declaration and an annex containing specific actions related to nuclear disarmament.

Minister Kang evaluated that the NPT, marking its 50th anniversary since its entry into force, has contributed to international peace and security as a cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime under multilateralism. She emphasized the need for the international community to strengthen nuclear disarmament efforts centered on the NPT toward the goal of a "world without nuclear weapons."

Furthermore, she raised the importance of enhancing transparency, building trust, and reducing nuclear threats through dialogue among nuclear-weapon states. She added that for gradual and effective progress in nuclear disarmament, all countries, including nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states, need to work together under the recognition of "common responsibility."

Meanwhile, in her opening remarks at the meeting, Minister Kang stated that the South Korean government is proactively responding to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the whole-of-government level and is transparently disclosing related information. A Foreign Ministry official explained, "Regarding recent cases of some countries imposing entry and exit controls on Korean nationals, we requested restraint from excessive measures and close prior coordination with the South Korean government."

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