Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Unofficial transcript
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mr. An Myong Hun
Friday, 29 May 2009

Thank you Mr. President.

Mr. President, upon the instruction from the Capital, this Delegation would like to state the following.

The DPRK and its people desire peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula more than any other countries. Because this is the land where our people live and create their livelihood. Likewise, the DPRK cherishes sovereign rights and rights to economic development, particularly in the face of continuing hostile policies and sanctions imposed by some countries against the DPRK.

In order to defend its people and its territory and ensure unhindered economic development, the DPRK had to possess nuclear weapons as a means for deterrence and for maintaining a development environment and only and purely for national defense. As long arbitrary pressure and sanctions are forced upon us we will continue to strengthen our national deterrence.

The nature of the statements made by Japan and South Korea on the 26th of May in this Chamber, only gave negative impact to the development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and to the timely consideration of the Draft Decision CD/1863.

Nevertheless it is our constant policy to achieve total and complete nuclear disarmament and DPRK believes and hopes that those countries that possess most of the nuclear weapons must take the lead in the elimination of nuclear weapons. In fact, the nuclear threat and proliferation comes from those weapons, particularly on alert status.

We have followed deeply the discussions of the Draft Discussion and the development of atmosphere in the CD. DPRK has been always constructive in the approach to the CD and it is fully cooperating with the Group of 21

It is from this constructive spirit and from the constant position for the total elimination of nuclear weapons forced by those countries which possess most of the weapons that the DPRK decided to support the Draft Decision CD/1863, in order to start substantial work without delay. Even though the negative debate is still going on in other parts of the globe - that is in New York, vis a vis the nuclear test of my country.

Mr. President,

I would like to take this opportunity, to pay my Delegations’ special tribute and thanks to the President Excellency Ambassador of Algeria for his great efforts, persistency, even guidance and diplomatic skills with which he has guided the CD’s work today.

I also express my Delegations’ high appreciation to the Ambassadors of Viet Nam and Zimbabwe for their excellent work during their tenure as Presidents and for their constructive bilateral approaches and discussions with my Delegation.

Thank you Mr. President.