UN Secretary-General Condemns North Korea Nuclear Threat as Clear and Present Danger

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Amid North Korea's declaration to significantly enhance its nuclear and missile capabilities from the beginning of the year, UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres stated that North Korea has the responsibility to return to talks for denuclearization.

On the 12th (local time), during an open debate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the rule of law between nations, Secretary-General Guterres pointed out, "North Korea's illegal development of nuclear weapons is a clear and present danger," adding that "it is raising geopolitical tensions to a new level."

Ant?nio Guterres, UN Secretary-General (right), and Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japanese Foreign Minister.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Secretary-General Guterres warned, "It is North Korea's obligation to abide by international regulations and return to the negotiating table."

Earlier, in November last year, Secretary-General Guterres urged North Korea to immediately halt any further provocative acts in response to its successive ballistic missile provocations, calling on North Korea to fulfill its international obligations.

At that time, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui issued a statement accusing Secretary-General Guterres of siding with the United States.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 due to its nuclear and missile development. The Six-Party Talks, including North Korea, have been deadlocked since 2009 due to North Korea's absence and other factors.

The UN Secretary-General's direct labeling of North Korea as a "clear danger" is closely related to North Korea's recent successive provocations.

On December 31, the last day of last year, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) into the East Sea, and from the beginning of the new year, it declared its intention to significantly enhance its nuclear and missile capabilities aimed at attacking South Korea.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, on the 1st, Kim Jong-un defined South Korea as an unmistakable and clear enemy, stating that "there is a demand to mass-produce tactical nuclear weapons and exponentially increase the stockpile of nuclear warheads."

Given the international situation where the United States is tied up in deterring Russia's war in Ukraine and focusing on China in the Indo-Pacific, North Korea's actions are interpreted as an attempt to destabilize the situation, continue provocations, and exert pressure on the United States, South Korea, and others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.