Some 50 member states of the UN conference on Thursday expressed outrage at the prospect of the unpredictable nuclear-armed North Korea being chosen to chair the world’s most important multilateral disarmament forum in the next three weeks.
Criticism of nuclear tests
The US, European Union, Britain, Australia and South Korea took the opportunity to criticize Pyongyang for its numerous missile tests and fear preparations for another nuclear test. “We remain deeply concerned about the DPRK’s reckless actions, which seriously undermine the value of the Conference on Disarmament,” said Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely on behalf of the group of countries.
North Korea last tested nuclear weapons in 2017. Since the beginning of the year, the military has conducted a series of missile tests, believed to include several ICBMs. In the statement, representing the group of states, Australian Gorely urged North Korea to “observe a moratorium on nuclear test explosions”.
“Noted” reviews.
As chairman of the conference, North Korean Ambassador Han Tae Song has repeatedly stated that he has “taken note” of critical comments. Speaking on behalf of his country, he insisted that North Korea had the right to defend itself against US “threats”, as the country had officially been at war with the US since the Korean War ceasefire in 1953.
No UN bodies
The disarmament conference is not a UN body, but meets at UN Headquarters in Geneva. The forum meets three times a year and advocates for arms control and disarmament agreements. An important focus is on ending the nuclear arms race.