YouSaid · the spoken record

Oh Joon

lines on the record

486

first

2005-08-23

most recent

2016-11-30

sittings or episodes

106

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un-security-council

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1. “I would like to thank you, Sir. all the members of the Security Council and the Secretariat for the cooperation and assistance rendered to me during the past three years.”

   2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source

2. “For South Koreans, it is a question of soul-searching as well - soul-searching about our national identity, national division and national desire for unification. Korea's national division should not become a national curse. When we watch North Korea's missile launches on television, we feel as if a brother in the family is wielding a gun and shooting in the air while his children are screaming out of hunger and fear. All in all, I believe that what we are doing here - applying pressure on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea through non-military sanctions measures - is the right thing to do, and I believe and I hope that those measures will eventually work. They will work for the non-proliferation regime, international security and the two Koreas so that we can eventually get over the issue and go back to dialogue and cooperation.”

   2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source

3. “It is an issue of nuclear non-proliferation that poses the question of whether or not we will be able to maintain the global nuclear non-proliferation regime that we have had for the past half century. We will have to consider whether we will be able to stand up to the challenge posed to the regime or whether we will be able to stop it or let it go. We have a very serious question before us. It is also an issue of international security. In our region, when North Korea acquired nuclear capabilities, it had the effect of breaking the status quo in terms of our strategy balance. Thus, the other countries of the region have to consider how to restore the balance. It is a serious question to be considered whether other countries should try to match the capabilities or come up with other ways to restore the strategy balance in the region.”

   2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source

4. “In that vein, my delegation welcomes the fact the resolution 2321 (2016) takes a more holistic approach by addressing the North Korean people's welfare and dignity, as shown in paragraph 45, which has been included in a sanctions resolution on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the first time. We hope that the resolution and the continuing discussion on human rights will contribute to helping our brothers and sisters in the north in their quest for a better life and human dignity. For me personally, this is my last time participating in a United Nations meeting, as I have completed my term here and am flying out tonight. I am relieved because the resolution has been adopted before my departure, but I am also sorry that I am leaving without seeing the issue being resolved. The North Korean nuclear issue is multifaceted.”

   2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source

5. “This year alone, it is estimated that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has spent more than $200 million on nuclear tests and missile launches. It is also estimated that the total cost so far for their nuclear programme must have surpassed $1 billion. That money could have been used to buy one year's worth of food for the entire North Korean population. People need to eat food, not weapons. For reasons defying any common sense, Pyongyang is paying a heavy price to gain a nuclear arsenal, at the expense of its own people. If it had used those resources to benefit people's livelihoods, the North Korean population's hardship would have been much relieved.”

   2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source

6. “The programme seems to be nearing the final stage ofweaponization, and Pyongyang makes no secret of its intention to acquire and use a nuclear arsenal. That is totally outrageous. By adopting the resolution today, the international community has once again made it clearthatwe will never tolerate the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). My delegation supports the new resolution's introduction of robust measures that complement and reinforce the existing sanctions regime. When implemented, they will significantly restrain the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's ability to carry on with its WMD programmes by targeting the flow of hard currency, materials, equipment and technology that they require.”

   2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source

7. “I would first like to express my appreciation to you, Mr. President, and the Senegalese presidency for convening today's meeting, and for inviting my delegation to participate in this meeting. The Republic of Korea welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2321 (2016). I thank Ambassador Samantha Power and the United States delegation for taking the initiative for the resolution, as well as other members of the Council for supporting it. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear-weapons programme, with its latest nuclear test - its fifth - has become the most serious threat to the global non-proliferation regime. It poses unprecedented challenges to the authority of the Security Council.”

   2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source

8. “The Republic of Korea, as an ardent supporter of that and other recommendations of the HIPPO and the Secretary-General, looks forward to continued efforts to that end.”

   2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source

9. “Finally, as highlighted in the report of the High- level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (HIPPO), "[p]olitics must drive the design and implementation of peace operations" (S/2015/446, p. 10). Conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding are all part of a continuum in which the transitions are neither lineal nor strictly sequential. The pursuit of a political settlement, by maintaining a political space for United Nations mediation, is particularly important in a non-permissive environment. The HIPPO report recognizes that where asymmetrical threats are present within the operating environment, United Nations missions must be provided with the necessary capabilities and training.”

   2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source

10. “Secondly, intelligence capabilities and the use of new technologies can improve the safety and security of peacekeepers. United Nations peacekeeping operations increasingly deploy a variety of technologies to collect, communicate and analyse data and information to support decision-making and coherent operational responses. Those are part of the efforts to counter- balance the threats from the changing operational environment. The Republic of Korea, in partnership with the Department of Field Support and Department of Peacekeeping Operations, is hosting the Third International Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping Symposium this week in Seoul, Korea. The Symposium will provide further insight into the challenges of the modern peacekeeping environment and offer opportunities for sharing ideas on ways to overcome those challenges.”

    2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source

11. “MINUSMA is one of the United Nations peacekeeping missions exposed to asymmetrical threats, ranging from sporadic attacks by terrorists to cross-boundary crimes, yet it is insufficiently equipped and supported. It may be no coincidence that in MINUSMA, one out of every two medical clinics has critical equipment gaps, including everything from integrated trauma care to intensive care. As a part of the pledge made during the 2015 Leaders' Summit on peacekeeping, the Republic of Korea is currently working with the African Union and the Government of Mali to provide equipment for a level-2 medical facility in northern Mali. Through that medical facility, it is our hope that the Government of Mali can win the hearts and minds ofthe Malian people and gain an upper hand in its effort to restore order in the region.”

    2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source

12. “First, given the complexity of the challenges of delivering on Council mandates in such threatening environments, we must do more to address the issue of how to improve provision of field support and use of force enablers, including helicopters, heavy weapons and hospitals. It is simply unrealistic to expect good results from field missions without providing them with adequate resources to carry out their mandate. Among the 30 casualties in peacekeeping operations directly resulting from attacks of an asymmetrical nature this year, 25 took place within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).”

    2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source

13. “The threat ofterrorism, for instance, is placing significant pressure on the peacekeeping system as a whole. The report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the recommendations of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations observed that "a United Nations peace operation is not designed or equipped to impose political solutions through sustained use of force" (S/2015/682, para. 15). However, the unfortunate reality is that United Nations peacekeeping operations are increasingly deployed in Violent and asymmetrically threatening environments, taking on an undue share of the burden. In 2016 alone, 30 peacekeepers were killed in action as a result of malicious acts. Against such a stark background, let me offer the following thoughts.”

    2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source

14. “The Republic of Korea congratulates Senegal on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of November. We also appreciate Senegal's initiative in convening this ministerial open debate on peacekeeping operations facing asymmetrical threats, and thank Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye for coming to New York to preside over the debate. United Nations peacekeeping operations have contributed significantly to the resolution of conflicts and to the declining number of conflicts over two decades. The Republic of Korea has long been a troop- contributing country and financial contributor to that essential function of the United Nations. Today, however, we are concerned that the changing nature of conflict and the speed of that change may outpace the ability of United Nations peacekeeping operations to respond.”

    2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source

15. “Before concluding, I would be remiss if I did not mention the threat posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear programme. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea continues to defy the international community by refusing to end its pursuit of a nuclear-weapon capability. That was demonstrated by its fourth nuclear test, on 6 January, and the 17 ballistic missile launches conducted this year. North Korea's persistent violations of international obligations, including Security Council resolutions, call into question its qualification as a United Nations State Member. We must take united action to ensure that North Korea complies with its obligations. Once again, I would like to reaffirm the Republic of Korea's commitment to the full and universal implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).”

    2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source

16. “As noted during the formal open consultations in June, the number of assistance requests from Member States has been declining, and the responses to those requests modest. We need to strengthen the matchmaking role of the Committee to support national capacity-building in collaboration with various regional and international organizations. Thirdly, we need a more coordinated and holistic approach to countering WMD proliferation. Identifying new trends in the security environment and responding in a timely manner cannot be achieved by the 1540 Committee alone. In that regard, we welcome the 1540 Committee's efforts to coordinate with the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2254 (2015).”

    2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source

17. “In particular, the role of industry is essential in preventing WMD proliferation, as it is often at the front line of dealing with sensitive and dual-use items. In that regard, the Republic of Korea will host the first regional Wiesbaden Conference in Asia for industry outreach on resolution 1540 (2004). The Conference aims to enhance communication between Government and the private sector and to strengthen regional implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). We will share the results of the conference with the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) with a view to contributing specific recommendations from industry. Secondly, we must enhance the 1540 Committee's role in providing assistance to Member States. This is crucial for the broad spectrum of obligations to be effectively met.”

    2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source

18. “It has helped enable the international community to meet emerging security challenges coming from the possibility of non-State actors using WMDs for terrorist purposes. Yet it can and should play a greater role in the face of daunting challenges. Rapid advances in science and technology have increased accessibility to WMDs and related materials by non-State actors. International terrorists groups, such Al-Qaida and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), are watching for loopholes in the non-proliferation regime. On our efforts to secure the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), I would like to make three points. First, we must further cement partnerships with regional and international organizations, academia and civil society.”

    2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source

19. “I would first like to thank Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the Malaysian presidency for organizing this important open debate. We appreciate this opportunity for the Security Council to focus on promoting the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and to reaffirm its resolve against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). I would also like to join others in thanking Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, Special Representative Roux, Mr. Koblentz and Under-Secretary- General Kim Won-soo for their briefings. Since its adoption in 2004, resolution 1540 (2004) has been an important part of the global security architecture.”

    2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source

20. “Governments in transition must play a leading role in identifying investment priorities, drawing up development strategies and carrying out their implementation. From our own experience, the sense of ownership, along with the spirit of self-help and cooperation, is what ignited the tapping of the potential of all, notjust some, of our people. I would like to reiterate the Republic of Korea's commitment to partnering with Africa in the cause of peace and stability. As our President promised a few months ago in Addis Ababa, Korea will travel together with Africa along the path towards a prosperous future.”

    2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source

21. “In Africa, we view the African Union's African peace and security architecture framework- consisting of the African Union Commission, the African Union Peace and Security Council and the African Union Peace Fund, among others - as a natural complement to the United Nations peacebuilding architecture and a mechanism through which the international community can signal its strong commitment. In order to support our partners in Africa, the Republic of Korea has committed to increasing our financial contribution to the African Union Peace Fund. In that regard, we also welcome the recent decision at the AU Kigali Summit to revamp the Fund. Finally, national ownership is of paramount importance.”

    2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source

22. “Secondly, a sustained and enduring commitment on the part of international partners is essential. Often in post-conflict environments, there is a prevailing general lack of trust among the many stakeholders ~ between the Government and its people, and among the different regions of the country. Under such circumstances, the prospects of a long-term engagement with the international community can act as a stabilizing agent, facilitating national cohesion.”

    2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source

23. “In the immediate aftermath of the Korean War, in order to extricate the Republic of Korea from the dire circumstances that it found itself in, including extreme poverty, the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency was established to implement a range of projects aimed at restoring stability and laying the foundation for economic development. Early on in that process, we identified institution-building - in particular in the area ofeducation - as a national priority that would supply the much-needed human resources for returning the country to normalcy. Drawing in part from our experience, President Park Geun-Hye underscored the importance of education as a core component of the Blueprint for Comprehensive Cooperation with Africa, unveiled during her address to the African Union (AU) on 28 May.”

    2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source

24. “Throughout the tour of the region, we heard at first hand from Government officials and civil society the high expectations that they had of the United Nations renewed approach to peacebuilding. Allow me to briefly outline a few points that may help us chart our way forward. First, priority shouldbe given to institution-building, as was highlighted in the concept note circulated by the President (8/2016/586, annex). The Republic of Korea can be said to be one of the early recipients of United Nations post-conflict support - even before the concept of peacekeeping or peacebuilding had come into existence.”

    2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source

25. “Along with the substantially identical General Assembly resolution 70/262, it defined, for the first time, the concept of "sustaining peace," which established prevention as the core function of the United Nations work in the maintenance of peace and security. Furthermore, those resolutions clarified that the aim of peacebuilding is to prevent the outbreak, continuation, escalation, and recurrence of conflict. That new and ambitious approach to peacebuilding has been welcomed by many who face peace and security challenges, Africa in particular. My delegation can attest to that reaction, as the Republic ofKorea, in our capacity as Vice-Chair, joined the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) on his recent trip to West Africa.”

    2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source

26. “The Republic of Korea congratulates Japan on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month and appreciates its important initiative in convening today's open debate entitled "Peacebuilding in Africa". I thank Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida for coming to New York to preside over this debate. I also thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his earlier briefing. Since the last open debate on the topic of peacebuilding held in February (see S/PV.7629), resolution 2282 (2016) was adopted on 27 April, thereby concluding the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture.”

    2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source

27. “You say that the United States is a threat to you. Why would the United States threaten you? Why would the strongest military Power in the world threaten a small country far across the Pacific? There is no threat. It is a figment of your imagination. If you continue in this way, the only people who will suffer from what you are doing are your own people, and they are also my people, and our people as well. So please, wake up, open your eyes, look out at what is happening in the world. Give up the nukes. Join the rest of us in the world and we can all live together in safety and peace." The meeting rose at11.25 a.m.”

    2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source

28. “As pointed out by members ofthe Council, while the sanctions set out in this resolution are most comprehensive in scope, they do not target the North Korean population or intend to negatively affect their livelihood. On the contrary, they explicitly target the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction by the regime that is causing the hardship of the North Korean people. We hope this resolution will help alleviate their plight. Finally, as a fellow Korean, I would like to say a few words in appeal to those who are ruling North Korea. I would say, in Korean, "please, stop it now". I would ask them: Why do you need these weapons? In South Korea we do not have a nuclear bomb. As we border each other, you do not need an intercontinental missile if you are targeting us. Why do you need these weapons?”

    2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source

29. “Its unanimous adoption demonstrates the firm, united resolve of the whole international community that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's weapons of mass destruction programmes will never be tolerated. These measures, when fully implemented, will impede the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's weapons of mass destruction-related activities in all aspects, leaving Pyongyang with no other option but to choose denuclearization. We have seen in the past how effective sanctions can lead to change ofpolicy in other contexts. As noted in the resolution, it is deplorable that the DPRK is diverting its scarce resources to the development of weapons of mass destruction while its own citizens are suffering abject poverty and human rights abuses.”

    2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source

30. “They are by far the most serious provocations of their kind, as they show that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is advancing closer to a comprehensive and operational nuclear weapon capability. A nuclear- armed North Korea would seriously impair the regime of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and could induce an arms race in the region, undermining the security of the whole world. The international community is therefore at an important crossroads. If we cannot stop the Democratic People's Republic of Korea now, then it may soon reach the point of no return. We must act quickly and decisively to prevent this from happening. Today's resolution introduces one of the most robust sanctions regimes in the history of the United Nations.”

    2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source

31. “I would first like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council this month. The Republic of Korea welcomes and supports the unanimous adoption of resolution 2270 (2016) today. We thank the United States for having taken the initiative on this resolution and the People's Republic of China for having engaged in lengthy consultations, as well as all other members of the Security Council. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's latest nuclear test and long-range missile launch are grave violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions. They pose a clear threat to international peace and security.”

    2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source

32. “That is not only a direct challenge to the authority of the Security Council, but also a contradiction to both the letter and spirit of the pledge it made. This breach of obligations by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea calls into question its qualification as a Member of the United Nations. Once again, I assure you, Sir, that the Republic of Korea remains faithful to all provisions of the United Nations Charter. We express our unyielding willingness to defend its purposes and principles as key elements for ensuring international peace and security.”

    2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source

33. “Ifwe go on business-as-usual vis-a-vis the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's repeated nuclear tests and missile launches, the entire world could fall prey to nuclear blackmail by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. An extraordinary threat requires an extraordinary response. The Security Council, through its tough and effective sanctions, must make clear to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that it will no longer tolerate its nuclear weapons development. Twenty-five years ago, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea solemnly pledged to comply with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations as a new Member. But during the past decade, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has persistently violated all Security Council resolutions related to it.”

    2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source

34. “To address such continued violations, the Security Council expressed its determination, through its resolution 2094 (2013), to take further significant measures in the event of a further launch or nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Security Council also reaffirmed that commitment in its press statement of 7 February (SC/12234), and its intent to expeditiously adopt a new resolution with such measures in response to such dangerous and serious violations. In that regard, the Security Council should adopt a robust and comprehensive resolution so as not to let the leadership of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea make a mockery of it by continuing to develop nuclear weapons.”

    2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source

35. “The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the only country in the world that has conducted nuclear tests in the twenty-first century; developed nuclear weapons programmes as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and then announced its withdrawal from both the NPT and the International Atomic Energy Agency; officially declared itself a nuclear-armed State in its Constitution; and been subjected to weapons of mass destruction-related sanctions imposed by the Security Council. By repeatedly violating Security Council resolutions, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has shown contempt and disregard for the functions and powers of the Security Council.”

    2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source

36. “The latest show of disregard for the United Nations Charter by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place in the course of the past six weeks with its nuclear test on 6 January, followed by the launch of a long-range ballistic missile on 7 February. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear test and missile launch are a clear threat to international peace and security and a blatant challenge to the international community.”

    2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source

37. “As my President stated in her address to the General Assembly last September, "The values and ideals upheld by the United Nations - global peace, the promotion of human rights and shared prosperity - have embodied the vision ofthe Republic of Korea itself" (A/70/PV13, p28). Unfortunately, however, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has consistently breached that solemn pledge. Over the past 10 years, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has conducted four nuclear tests and six long-range missile tests. These are all in violation of its international obligations, including under four separate resolutions of the Security Council.”

    2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source

38. “I would like to congratulate you, Sir, and the delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on assuming the presidency this month, and to thank you for organizing today's open debate. Let me also thank Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for his compelling remarks delivered this morning. Twenty-five years ago, when the Republic of Korea was admitted to the United Nations along with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, both Koreas pledged to accept and to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations, as laid out in its Charter. During the past 25 years, my country has been a strong advocate and defender of the Charter of the United Nations.”

    2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source

39. “With that in mind, my delegation wishes to urge the members of the Security Council to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document and to reaffirm especially its paragraphs 138 and 139, regarding the responsibility to protect. The Security Council already has a wide range of tools to enhance compliance and accountability so as to address the current challenges presented by the protection of civilians. The task at hand is to mobilize the collective will of the Council to utilize those tools. We hope that the views expressed during today's debate will help the Council to carry out its commitment to protect civilians.”

    2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source

40. “The Republic of Korea also supports the fight against impunity and for holding accountable those who have committed the most serious crimes of international concern. We have joined many other delegations in supporting the code of conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, as well as the French- Mexican initiative on the suspension of the veto power in cases of mass atrocities. Finally, I wish to underscore that Member States bear the primary responsibility to protect civilians. It is our responsibility to bring perpetrators of atrocity crimes to justice, as specified in the relevant international instruments.”

    2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source

41. “A large part of his September 2015 report (S/2015/453) is devoted to identifying ways in which to better implement the protection-of-civilians mandate in the field, inter alia by tailoring them to the conditions on the ground, My delegation also welcomes the Security Council's presidential statement of 25 November 2015 (S/PRST/2015/23). For our part, the Government of the Republic of Korea has been engaged in the ongoing discussion to build and sustain the political momentum for the implementation of the recommendations of the Secretary-General and of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. Last year, we hosted two conferences on that subject, first in New York in May, followed by one in Seoul in October. We look forward to continuing that discussion this year.”

    2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source

42. “Back in February 2013, during my country's presidency of the Council, the Security Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2013/2) that comprehensively addressed the issue of the protection of civilians - including humanitarian access - and refugees, the need to protect humanitarian personnel, sexual- and gender- based violence, and the need to end impunity for serious violations. We urge the Security Council to continue to address those issues with a renewed sense of urgency and resolve. In that regard, we appreciate the Secretary- General's continued commitment to incorporating the protection of civilians throughout all United Nations peace operations.”

    2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source

43. “I would first like to congratulate you, Sir, and the delegation of Uruguay for assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month, which is the first month of your term in the Council. Let me also thank you for convening today's timely debate on the protection of civilians. As we enter the new year, we are humbled by the daunting realities around the world, given the devastating impact on civilians - particularly women and children - resulting from the many conflicts that we are grappling with. In the past, the Security Council has repeatedly expressed the urgent need to protect civilians in armed conflicts. Resolutions 2222 (2015), on the protection ofjournalists, 2175 (2014), on humanitarian operations, and 2150 (2014), which calls for the prevention of, and the fight against, genocide are only a few recent examples.”

    2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source

44. “While we continue to embrace North Koreans who leave their home, the best thing we can do, Madam President, may well be to help North Koreans realize their future in safety and with dignity in their own country. The meeting rose at 4.35 pm.”

    2015-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7575 (2015) · source

45. “Why does she feel the pull of its gravity even when she is physically so far away from North Korea? I can only imagine that perhaps she meant that she could never escape the gravity of the pain and suffering that her people were enduring. Maybe neither you nor I, Madam President, nor anyone else in the Chamber will ever understand her. We may never fully grasp the onerousness of her burden, because we were not there with her when she spent every day for 12 years, praying for the safety and survival of her family and doing all in her power to get them out before it was too late. Now we have heard from her and many other defectors from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”

    2015-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7575 (2015) · source

46. “We expect the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to share with us a sense of urgency andjoin us in seeking a fundamental and comprehensive resolution to the issue, including by holding family reunions on a larger scale and on a regular basis. I would like to end my statement by quoting Ms. Hyeon-seo Lee, a young North Korean woman who escaped from North Korea as a teenager and devoted the following 12 years of her life to rescuing her mother and brother. In her book entitled The Girl with Seven Names, she said, "Leaving North Korea is not like leaving any other country. It is more like leaving another universe. I will never truly be free of its gravity, no matter how far I journey." What does she mean? Why was it so difficult for her to leave a place others call a gulag?”

    2015-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7575 (2015) · source

47. “The Republic of Korea will continue to engage with other Member States to address and resolve this matter, while providing humanitarian assistance to the North Korean people in order to alleviate their plight. We hope that, with a view to addressing the concerns of the international community, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will work with us to implement the relevant United Nations resolutions. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea needs to engage and cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms. We believe that to do so will ultimately be in the best interests of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This year marks 70 years of division of the Korean nation. The issue of separated family members, whose average age is around 80, remains the most urgent humanitarian concern for the entire Korean people.”

    2015-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7575 (2015) · source

48. “On the Korean peninsula, a new round of reunions for separated families living in the two Koreas took place last October. However, we have not seen a meaningful change in the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As we heard in today's briefing, dire human rights violations persist and, in some cases, are becoming worse. We still have a long way to go. My Government believes that addressing the North Korean human rights issue is critical not only to promoting human rights as a universal value, but also to maintaining peace in the Korean peninsula. We therefore urge the Security Council to keep playing an active role in improving the situation. We also ask the High Commissioner for Human Rights to pursue his efforts to improve the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”

    2015-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7575 (2015) · source

49. “Given the growing concern of the international community, the Security Council formally added the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to its agenda and held its first discussion on the issue in this very Chamber on 22 December 2014 (see S/PV.7353). I was here and spoke, as my country had a seat on the Council at that time. I explained why North Korea's human rights issues were taken to heart in South Korea. One year later, what has changed? At the United Nations, we adopted more resolutions in the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights opened a field-based structure in Seoul. There have been meetings, seminars and panel discussions on the issue in different parts of the world.”

    2015-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7575 (2015) · source

50. “I would first like to express appreciation to the presidency of the United States for convening today's meeting and to the Member States of the Council for inviting the Republic of Korea to participate. I would also like to thank Mr. Feltman and Mr. Al Hussein for their briefings. Last year, the commission of inquiry issued its landmark report (A/HRC/25/63), which shed light on the nature, gravity and scale of human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The report raised critical awareness of the need to strengthen our collective efforts to improve the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”

    2015-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7575 (2015) · source