Korea Accompanies Chairmanship of Arms Control Meeting ... "Neglecting North Korea's Illegal Transactions Threatens Peace"

South Korea has taken the chairmanship at an international conference aimed at preventing the illegal trade and diversion of conventional weapons. At the conference, the South Korean government issued a warning message that neglecting North Korea's illegal arms trade situation would pose a significant threat to world peace.

On the 21st (local time), Foreign Minister Park Jin emphasized in a video opening address at the 9th Meeting of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) held at the International Conference Center in Geneva, Switzerland, that "If North Korea's illegal arms trade is left unchecked, it will pose a great threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community."

Minister Park pointed out, "Recently, North Korea invited certain foreign representatives to a weapons exhibition event, suggesting the possibility of arms exports," adding, "Such actions violate the ATT and United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit illegal arms trade and deserve condemnation."

Foreign Minister Park Jin delivered the opening remarks via video at the 9th Meeting of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) held in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 21st (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Last month, North Korea invited a Russian delegation to the 'Armed Equipment Exhibition-2023' to showcase unmanned attack drones, unmanned reconnaissance drones, and super-large multiple rocket launchers. Minister Park added, "Last year, North Korea launched more than 100 ballistic missiles and is using profits gained from illicit arms sales to fund its nuclear weapons and missile programs."

Enacted in 2014, the ATT is the first legally binding treaty to establish common standards for preventing the illegal trade and diversion of conventional weapons and regulating their international transfer. It aims to enhance the accountability and transparency of states regarding conventional arms transfers.

The Meeting of States Parties is the treaty's key decision-making body. South Korea, having joined the ATT in 2017, chaired the 9th Meeting of States Parties for the first time. The meeting was presided over from the chair by Yoon Sung-mi, Deputy Ambassador of the Korean Mission in Geneva.

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