Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the briefing on non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Thank you Mr. President,

Assistant Secretary Khiari, thank you very much for your briefing.

Mr. President,

Let me make a couple of points on behalf of my delegation:

One – Slovenia strongly condemns the latest launch by the DPRK of what appears to have been an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

Without a doubt, this represents a blatant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions, a second one in a span of just two months.

Mr. President,

Such wilful and flagrant disrespect of the Security Council resolutions is unacceptable. Let me reiterate that the DPRK must ensure implementation of the resolutions of this body and abandon its illegal WMD and ballistic missile programs.

Two – Slovenia is gravely concerned with the course that the DPRK has decided to take. In late 2023, North Korea took a series of escalatory steps, including military cooperation with third countries, ballistic missile tests and satellite launches.

This continued throughout 2024. However, in addition to missile tests, there have been reports of the use of the DPRK-origin ballistic missiles in Ukraine; deeply concerning statements about the DPRK’s nuclear status; and reports of the DPRK troops’ deployment to Europe.

The DPRK demonstrated numerous times that it did not care about the cooperation with the international community or about latter’s concerns. Instead, it continues to develop nuclear weapons and to test the capabilities for their delivery thousands of kilometers beyond its borders. With such reckless behavior, the DPRK is threatening regional and global peace and security.

Mr. President,

The Council’s inaction in situation like this only fuels further expansion of the DPRK’s illegal nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. North Korea needs to be denuclearised and we believe this Council needs to find unity and employ all diplomatic means to make the DPRK cease its provocations and bring it back to the dialogue. This is the only legitimate option.

I thank you Mr. President.

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