YouSaid · the spoken record

Li Hyong Chol

lines on the record: 39
first: 2000-09-24
most recent: 2001-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“My delegation wishes to reaffirm that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will continue to cooperate fully with all Member States to uphold and implement the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter under the ideas of independence, peace and friendship.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“As already stated, the aim of our opposing terrorism is to promote global peace and stability, defend the sovereignty of the country and nation and protect the lives and property of the peoples of the world. We are strongly of the view that imposing the label of terrorist on countries that advocate sovereign equality, while violating their sovereignty and inflicting immeasurable pain on the people by resorting to arbitrary armed intervention, sanctions, and so on, should in no way be tolerated. There is no justification in any case for the use of force or resorting to war and taking innocent lives, undermining the situation and destroying stability in the fight against terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The large-scale terrorist incident that occurred in the United States on 11 September was very regrettable and tragic and reminds us of the gravity of terrorism. The situation in Afghanistan is now grave, where instability and unprecedented human loss and material damage are brought about by the military operation of the United States. The prevailing situation requires that the leading role of the United Nations in preventing terrorism be definitely strengthened and the national obligations for the elimination of terrorism be fully discharged by all Member States. Yesterday we signed the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and acceded to the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages. That shows that we are making every possible effort to eliminate terrorism in the world.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“If poverty is to be eradicated, a fair and equitable international economic order should be established and sustainable development ensured. We will have to draw due lessons from the demonstrations in Genoa last July and properly handle the issue of globalization. In this regard, it should be underlined that the developed countries and the international financial institutions assume big responsibilities. The United Nations should encourage Member States to direct their attention to considering more practical measures for eradicating poverty and achieving development. It is the consistent and principled position of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to oppose support, of whatever kind, to any forms of terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We place on record our strong opposition to considering in any manner the permanent membership of Japan on the Security Council when it has neither put an end to nor recognized its past crimes, and while no agreement has yet been reached on increasing the number of permanent members. One of the major challenges to the United Nations and its Member States today is global poverty, which grows ever more serious. Poverty, which has resulted from colonialism in the past, continues to be aggravated due to the inequitable international monetary systems and neo-colonial policies. It also becomes a factor that begets conflicts, diseases and hunger and hampers the independent and creative life of peoples and their enjoyment of the right to development.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The General Assembly must be empowered to consider issues relating to world peace and security and approve major resolutions of the Security Council 35 on these issues. Reform of the Security Council should be pursued in the context of strengthening the authority of the General Assembly. We hold that the Security Council reform should be undertaken in full conformity with its intrinsic purpose. The Security Council reform must ensure enough representation of the developing countries and full fairness in United Nations activities for achieving international peace and security.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“However, certain countries do not hesitate to undertake unilateral coercive actions and even resort to the use of force against sovereign States, ignoring and violating the United Nations Charter. Member States should reject any attempt that goes against the United Nations Charter and other principles and norms of international law, and should strive to establish a fair, new world structure based on the rule of law, equality, mutual respect and cooperation for mutual benefit, with a view to ensuring world security and stability. If the leading role of the United Nations in dealing with global issues is to be strengthened, the United Nations should be reformed in a democratic way. In this regard, we are of the view that it is essential to strengthen the authority of the General Assembly.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Japan should not misjudge our moratorium on satellite launches and the peaceful character of our missile programme. We strongly urge Japan to look squarely at reality; put an end to its past inhumane crimes, and sincerely turn to the road of peace in this new century. That will be good for the future of Japan. The most important task of Member States today is to strengthen the central role of the United Nations with regard to international issues. It is essential that Member States honour and implement the United Nations Charter in good faith. The United Nations Charter enshrines the purposes and principles for developing friendly international relations on the basis of sovereign equality.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The Japanese authorities are not willing to terminate their past crimes against humanity, but try instead to justify them, openly visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, where the departed souls of the war criminals are enshrined, distorting history textbooks for new generations and legalizing the overseas advance of the Japanese self-defence force. On 29 August, Japan test-fired an H-2A large-size delivery rocket that could easily be converted into an intercontinental ballistic missile. That is a clear indication that the militarism of Japan has become politicized and is proceeding to an open and dangerous stage. Japan, which has always stigmatized our peaceful satellite launch as a missile launch, said openly that its test-fire of the rocket was done to cope with North Korea’s missile, thus invoking military confrontation.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We are also ready to develop relations with the United States on the principles of equality and mutual benefit if the United States respects our sovereignty and freedom of choice, takes an attitude of good will towards us on an equal footing, and refrains from obstructing the reunification of Korea. Another factor of instability that casts a dark shadow on the future development of the Korean peninsula and its surroundings is the orientation of Japanese moves, that is, the ultra-rightist inclination of Japan and its undisguised attempt to revive militarism. My delegation wishes to draw the attention of all Member States to this matter at this session of the General Assembly held in the first year of the twenty- first century.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Dialogue should be conducted on a fair and equal basis. Resumption of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea-United States of America dialogue will only be possible when the present United States Administration gets rid of its cold-war mentality and adopts a stance at least at the level of the one taken by the Clinton Administration in the last period of its term of office. During the past two years, we have established official relations with almost all member States of the European Union (EU) and diplomatic relations with the EU itself, and countries of other regions as well, on the basis of the principles of respect for sovereignty and equality.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“It makes no sense for the United States to argue that it needs to establish a missile defence system out of fear of our missiles while itself possessing thousands of nuclear bombs and missiles that could extinguish humankind many times over. That argument only covers up the United States strategy to gain domination of the world, based on superior power. Since the cold war is over and the North and South of Korea are proceeding towards reconciliation and cooperation in accordance with the 15 June Joint Declaration, there is neither reason nor any other ground whatsoever for United States troops to remain in the South of Korea. Withdrawal of United States troops from South Korea is an urgent issue whose solution should not brook any further delay in the interest of ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in North-East Asia.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The most important element in implementing the North-South Joint Declaration and achieving peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula is to put an end to the hostile policy and interference of the United States against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It is totally irrational to say that the United States deploys huge armed forces in and around the Korean peninsula and 34 conducts large-scale military exercises against us to advance peace, self-defensive measures taken by my country to cope with the United States military threat is a threat to peace. Our missile programme is of a purely peaceful nature and does not pose a threat to any country that respects the sovereignty of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“However, inter-Korean relations and the implementation of the 15 June Joint Declaration, which were proceeding well and in the right direction, now face a big obstacle due to the hard- line, hostile policy and unjust interference of the new United States Administration against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The half-century history of national division and, in particular, experiences during the past year, clearly show that the North and South of Korea should, above all, adhere to a stance of national independence if they are to implement the North-South Joint Declaration. Only when the North and South collaborate as one nation will they open up a bright future for the nation, without becoming a victim of outside forces.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The General Assembly, at its fifty-fifth session, unanimously adopted the resolution supporting the Joint Declaration. With the publication of the Joint Declaration, the enthusiasm for reunification was manifested throughout the Korean peninsula and dialogues and contacts in various fields took place between the North and the South of Korea. It demonstrated that the Korean nation could well open the door to reunification by itself, if the North and the South make joint efforts with sincere will for independent reunification.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We will, as ever, firmly defend our sovereignty and the socialist system of our country and advance convincingly along the road chosen by ourselves under the army-first leadership of the respected General Kim Jong Il. It is the unanimous desire of all Korean people to reunify the divided country at the earliest possible date. Last year, the inter-Korean summit meeting was held and the North-South Joint Declaration issued for the first time in the history of the national division, thanks to the idea of national independence and great national unity of the great leader, Comrade Kim Jong Il. The Joint Declaration reflects the will and aspirations of the Korean people to achieve reunification independently by pooling the efforts of the nation. It enjoys wide support and is welcomed by the international community.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The great leader General Kim Jong Il conducted active diplomacy, including his visit to China and Russia and his meeting with the top-level delegation of the European Union this year, and thus made a great contribution to developing overall international relations and strengthening global peace and security. In particular, the summit meetings and talks between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and China resulted in the adoption of documents reflecting shared views on strengthening the leading role of the United Nations in resolving major international issues, ensuring strategic balance, and so on. This serves as an historic milestone in establishing a fair, new world, based on the principles of mutual respect and cooperation for mutual benefit.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We are exposed to constant threats from huge armed forces, including nuclear weapons, deployed around the Korean peninsula on the pretext of an alleged threat from North Korea, and that is the main source of instability on the Korean peninsula and in the Asia- Pacific region. That notwithstanding, we have been able firmly to defend the dignity and sovereignty of the country on our own in the face of the offensive by hostile forces, and under difficult conditions resembling an arduous march, unprecedented in our history, thus contributing to the peace and security of the region. That is entirely attributable to the outstanding army-first policies of the respected General Kim Jong Il.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality that constitute a cornerstone of international relations are being undermined by certain forces that consider strength as the means to achieve everything. As long as there is acquiescence to acts of arbitrary power that seek to destroy strategic stability and hold absolute supremacy by establishing a missile defence system in defiance of international opposition, the world will be engulfed in another cold war and arms race. The problem of the Korean peninsula always comes up as one of the major issues in deliberations on global peace and security. That is because of the power policy and arbitrary actions directed in most cases against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“I congratulate you, Sir, once again on your election as President of the fifty- sixth session of the General Assembly. I also wish to express high appreciation to Mr. Harri Holkeri, who carried out his duties as President of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly in an excellent manner. I would like to take this opportunity to extend warm congratulations again to Mr. Kofi Annan on his re-election as Secretary-General of the United Nations. Last year, heads of State and Government throughout the world held the Millennium Summit in 33 this Hall and committed themselves to building a peaceful and prosperous world in the new century. That gave high hope and expectations to all people of the world. However, the developments that are now taking place on the globe overshadow possible implementation of the Millennium Summit commitments.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We consider that one means to this end will be to restore the confidence of the international community in the United Nations by redressing those issues mishandled in the past by the United Nations, in contradiction to the purposes and principles of its Charter, by force of arbitrariness and high-handedness. Independence, peace and friendship are the fundamental ideas of the foreign policy of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Democratic People's Republic will remain true to this idea and faithfully discharge its obligations as a Member State of the United Nations, so that the United Nations can become a truly effective organization that creditably serves the aspirations and requirements of the new century.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We hold that the enhancement of the authority of the General Assembly is a prerequisite for ensuring democracy in United Nations activities. The Assembly must be empowered at least to review the issues of international peace and security and to approve major decisions and resolutions of the Security Council on these issues. In reforming the Security Council, priority should be given to increasing the number of non-permanent seats, thus correcting the present imbalance in regional representation. It is also imperative that effective ways be sought to ensure strict observance of the principles of justice and fairness in United Nations activities.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The main purpose of United Nations reform is to ensure democracy and strict observance of the principles of justice and fairness in all its activities. The General Assembly has now been relatively democratized, but it does not have sufficient authority. In contrast, the Security Council has authority and action capability but falls short of the desired degree of democracy. In particular, the present structure of the Security Council leaves a vacuum which allows the United Nations to be used as a tool of high-handedness, for the Council monopolizes decision-making power on such critical issues as enforcement action, including the use of force. The twentieth century witnessed such cases on several occasions.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“A fair international economic order which is conducive to sustainable economic development for the developing countries should be established as early as possible. In particular, it is imperative that the United Nations further the analysis and assessment of the nature and danger of globalization, as well as its impact on the developing countries, and take necessary measures. In this regard, we believe that the Declaration and Action Programme adopted at the South Summit held in Cuba last April can serve as an excellent basis for that purpose. In order for the United Nations to play a role commensurate with the requirements of the new century, it should be democratized through reform of its structure.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Along with the use of force, the human rights issue constitutes one of the two factors straining international relations. This is demonstrated in the reality in which United Nations meetings that address human rights issues are often converted into an arena of confrontation, not cooperation. In fact, there is no more grave human rights violation than abusing the human rights issue for political purposes. The United Nations should enhance its role decisively to ensure that fairness is fully observed, and not acquiesce in the application of double standards when dealing with human rights issues. The twenty-first century should be a century of development. Durable international peace and security are inconceivable without the eradication of poverty and the solution of social and economic problems.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The role of the United Nations in the field of disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, should be enhanced. Despite an ever-growing desire and expectation by international society for disarmament after the end of the cold war, the disarmament process is at a standstill, faced with new challenges. Reality requires that the nuclear disarmament process be turned into a United Nations process, instead of being left to 28 the nuclear-weapon States alone. We are of the view that the fourth special session of the United Nations General Assembly devoted to disarmament should be held as early as possible, taking into due consideration the demand of a large number of countries. Another challenge to be effectively countered by the United Nations in international relations is an attempt to politicize the human rights issue.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Encroachment upon the sovereignty of small countries by big Powers in exercise of power politics is an act of high-handedness, as already judged by the times. “Humanitarian intervention” is a dangerous concept that could beautify such acts of high-handedness and eliminate the essential spirit of the Charter. The international relations of the new century should serve to terminate arbitrariness and high- handedness, such as threatening sovereign States by force and imposing sanctions on them, and to fully implement the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. International peace and security should be achieved by strengthening the role of the United Nations, not by arbitrariness, high-handedness and intervention by any individual big Power.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In order to establish fair international relations and an international order that will properly represent the new century, it is important to successfully overcome the challenges to the United Nations Charter. The most serious challenge posed in international relations at present is the emergence of the concept of “humanitarian intervention”. The United Nations is based on the principle of sovereign equality. The Charter enshrines the principles of respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs as a cornerstone of international relations. These are the major principles based on the reality in which big and small countries exist in the world. All countries aspire to independence and struggle to defend their national sovereignty.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Should Japan take the path of militarism, it will obviously strain its relations with other Asian countries and exert negative effects on the improvement of North-South relations. We hope Japan will not go in this direction. Japan should find its future in a sincere and early settlement of its past. Now that the North- South joint declaration is being smoothly implemented, new, sound international relations will be established in North-East Asia once the hostile relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States, and between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Japan, are resolved. In conformity with this encouraging process, the United Nations should also take practical measures to dismantle the “United Nations Command”, a legacy of the cold war, thus making a due contribution to this process.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“If this position is put into practice, we will be ready to respond in a positive way at any time. Another factor that casts a shadow on positive development on the Korean peninsula is the suspicious future of Japan. Whether Japan revives its militarist spectre or becomes a peace-loving country is a serious question directly linked to peace and stability in Asia, particularly in its neighbouring Korean peninsula. Continued evasion by Japan on settling its past with our country is the main factor that makes us suspicious of its future orientation. Moreover, such suspicion is increased as we witness Japanese moves to find pretexts for justifying its rearmament by targeting our country as its “enemy”.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“If hostile relations are removed and confidence is built between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States, there will be ways to address the concerns on both sides. The recent incident that prevented the President of the Presidium of our Supreme People's Assembly from attending the Millennium Summit is, after all, the manifestation of the continued hostile policy pursued by the United States against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in labelling our country a “terrorism-sponsoring nation”. In this regard, we note that the United States has recognized its responsibility for the incident and given assurances that such incidents would not occur again. We also note the recently stated United States position that it has no reason to perpetuate its hostile relations with our country.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“If this process is to continue to gain momentum, the countries concerned should work in support of the process, rather than disturbing it. The United States has created our non-existent “missile threat” in order to justify the establishment of its “theatre missile defense” and “national missile 27 defense” systems. Nevertheless, it gives rise to worldwide concern about its danger. Our missile programme is of a peaceful nature, for all intents and purposes. All countries have an equal sovereign right, recognized by the United Nations, to conduct research on and make use of the outer space. It is therefore totally unfair for the United States to take issue only with our rockets while many other countries are launching their own space rockets.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Reunification will come about if both sides take realistic and practical measures for establishing a reunified State by making the most of common elements of the federation and the confederation proposed by the North and the South respectively. The independent reunification of our nation will surely lead to a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula, and we believe that this will in turn contribute to peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world. The turning point created on the Korean peninsula is a positive development of global significance. We consider that the present trend towards the improvement of North-South relations and reunification is a process that should be valued for the sake of peace and security in North-East Asia as well.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Amidst the increased spirit of national independence and reunification, North-South ministerial talks for reconciliation and collaboration are being held and the reunions of separated families realized. Mutual visits between the North and the South through, inter alia, direct flights between Pyongyang and Seoul are now commonplace, and a project is underway to re-link the railways between the North and the South of Korea. This is the brilliant fruition of our independent policy and the result of a warm love for the nation and strong desire for reunification. It is none other than the Korean nation that is responsible for Korea's reunification question. Korea's reunification should be achieved independently by the concerted efforts of the Koreans in the North and the South, as stated in the North-South joint declaration.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“These three principles of national reunification are the grand programme of reunification put forward by President Kim Il Sung, the great leader of our people, and constitute the most essential component of the three-point charter for national reunification defined by the respected General Kim Jong Il. At the historic Pyongyang meeting in June this year, the leaders of the North and the South reaffirmed these three principles of national reunification, and on this basis the North-South joint declaration on solving the reunification question independently by the concerted efforts of our nation was made public. The summit meeting and the resulting joint declaration represent a historic milestone, marking a turning-point in achieving the cause of independent reunification of our nation.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We take pride in the independent foreign policy of our Government, as it contributes to maintaining the balance of power and preventing a war in North-East Asia. The independent policy of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea also gives full play to its vitality in advancing the cause of peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula. The General Assembly at its twenty-eighth session in 1973 unanimously welcomed the three principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity which had been agreed upon by the north and the south of the Korean peninsula.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The reality prevailing on the Korean peninsula clearly testifies to the justness of the independent policies consistently carried out by the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Without independence, it is unthinkable that our country could overcome the manifold difficulties and advance the building of a powerful nation convincingly along the road chosen by its people. The independent foreign policy of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea makes a tangible contribution to peace and stability in North-East Asia. It can be said that it is entirely because of our firm adherence to independence that our country has been able to play a buffer-zone role effectively in the intersection of the divergent geopolitical interests of several countries.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“No country can either defend its national dignity or achieve social and economic development when its national sovereignty is violated. 26 This is the lesson for mankind on the threshold of the twenty-first century. It is the common aspiration of the world's peoples that the twenty-first century should be a century of independence, peace and development. Genuine peace and prosperity on our planet can be achieved only when the sovereignty of all countries is respected. We regard independence as our life and soul. The idea of independence runs through all domestic and foreign policies and lines of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This is the brilliant embodiment of the independent policy of the great leader General Kim Jong Il.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“On behalf of the delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, I should like first of all to congratulate Mr. Harri Holkeri on his election as President of the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session. I believe that the present session will produce the desired results under his leadership. I pay tribute to his predecessor Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, who made a great contribution to the successful conclusion of the fifty-fourth session. I wish also to express our great appreciation for the efforts made by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to strengthen the role of the United Nations. The central role of the United Nations in the new century should be to establish international relations and order to make the new century independent, peaceful and prosperous.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)