주유엔 대한민국 대표부

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Joonkook HWANG

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea

Security Council Briefing on MIPS / Ukraine

New York, 28 August 2024                                                                       

Thank you, Mr. President, 

I extend my gratitude to ASG Jenca for his briefing. I also welcome the participation of Ukraine Permanent Representative at today’s meeting.

On August 24th, it was Ukraine’s Independence Day, which should have been a day of celebration of national sovereignty and unity, but sadly Ukrainians are still suffering from the ongoing conflict that has lasted already for two and half years.

For the past few weeks, we have witnessed a significant escalation along the battle fronts. Ukraine’s military operation within Russian territories was followed by Russia’s intensified hostilities, which caused a rise in civilian casualties, the mandatory evacuation of affected areas, and renewed destruction of critical civilian infrastructure.

Russia’s attacks, including the vile large-scale one on Monday involving hundreds of missile and drone strikes, continue to threaten all Ukrainians and plunge them into darkness just as they are approaching the third winter since the war began.

At this point, my delegation highlights the following points.

First, we are deeply concerned about the ongoing dangerous situation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) following the increased military activities in its vicinity.

As a country operating 26 nuclear reactors on its soil and having hosted the second Nuclear Security Summit in 2012, the Republic of Korea joins call for a halt to any and all escalatory actions that risk a nuclear catastrophe; all parties must faithfully cooperate with the IAEA to prevent such an incident.

We appreciate the IAEA’s efforts to ensure the nuclear safety and security in the region since the war began. We are also closely monitoring the result of the IAEA Director General’s visit to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia.

Second, as we commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, we deplore that these landmark global commitments for protecting victims of war continue to be blatantly ignored in Ukraine.

Indiscriminate attack against civilians and civilian objects, including energy infrastructure, is in violation of international humanitarian law and must be condemned unequivocally. The mistreatment of prisoners of war and detainees must also stop.

And, ultimately, those who committed war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine should be held accountable.

Third, we support the international community’s diplomatic efforts to end this war in line with international law and the UN Charter, affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Even amid the intense fighting on the ground, we cannot lose hope for diplomacy. At the same time, as everybody in this Chamber knows, there is a simple and shorter path; that is Russia’s withdrawal of its troops from Ukraine’s territories.

Mr. President,

We note with great concern the Ukrainian authorities’ announcement that North Korea’s ballistic missiles were used again by Russia to strike Ukraine on July 31st and August 11th.

Russia cannot cover up its illegal procurement of North Korea’s weapons and use of them against Ukraine, which violate multiple Security Council resolutions.

We once again strongly urge Russia to fulfill its solemn responsibility as a Permanent Member of the Security Council by halting its illegal military transactions with the DPRK.

We also condemn the DPRK for being complicit in Russia’s illegal invasion, prolonging the war in Ukraine and threatening international peace and security in wider regions, including Europe and East Asia.

In closing, Mr. President, the Republic of Korea will support Ukraine until they achieve just and lasting peace in their territories, based on our bilateral “Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative.”

I thank you, Mr. President. /END/