President Yoon Talks with UN Secretary-General Guterres: "Firm and United Security Council Response to North Korea" Requested

by Lee Kimin

Published 17 Jun.2022 11:35(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 17th that "if a firm and unified response at the level of the United Nations Security Council is not made, a wrong message may be conveyed that tolerates North Korea's nuclear and missile development."

A presidential office official stated during a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that President Yoon, in a phone call with UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, said, "North Korea's actions related to nuclear or missile provocations are acts that seriously threaten the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the international order."

This remark is interpreted as being mindful of China and Russia exercising their veto power as permanent members of the Security Council on the resolution for additional sanctions against North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch on the 26th of last month.

However, President Yoon reiterated in this call that civilian support related to COVID-19, which is unrelated to North Korea's nuclear development, will continue.

President Yoon said, "We express concern about the spread of COVID-19 in North Korea and are closely monitoring the situation. We have expressed our willingness to provide vaccines and medicines to North Korea, but North Korea has not yet responded," adding, "We expect the UN Secretariat to continue monitoring North Korea's COVID-19 situation and to communicate closely with our government."

The official said, "We will not disclose the contents of Secretary-General Guterres' remarks on our side," but added, "However, (Secretary-General Guterres) also expressed concern about the North Korean nuclear issue," and "He also sympathized with (President Yoon's remarks) regarding COVID-19."