Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

On behalf of the delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, I should like, first of all, to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly for the current session. It is our hope that your efforts will crown the session with success. The common task facing the international community today is to build a new, independent, peaceful and prosperous world. Our planet’s people have an identical aspiration: to build a new and independent world, free from all forms of domination and subjugation, aggression and war. All countries and nations should have unrestricted freedom to choose and develop their own political, economic and social systems on the basis of their sovereign rights, including the right to self-determination. Independence is the life and soul of each country and nation, and the common right of mankind. A steadfast commitment to independence enables each country to safeguard its national dignity and rights, to maintain and consolidate international relationships on a sound basis, to bring about genuine democratization of international society and, furthermore, to help to accelerate the creation of an independent world. The absence of independence will lead to failure to safeguard national sovereignty and dignity or to secure a country’s prosperity and well-being. It is an ineluctable fact that where independence is violated, there will be domination, subordination, subjugation and inequality. We draw this lesson for mankind from the 5,000-year history of the Korean nation, and it applies to the present tumultuous era, with the twenty-first century just round the corner. The developments and events of recent years in the international arena serve to demonstrate clearly once again the correctness of the independent lines and policies of our Republic. We regard independence as our life and soul. It is the cornerstone of the internal and external policies and approaches of our Republic. It is our people’s strong commitment to independence and their principled position that have enabled our country to advance along the road of Socialism. They have chosen this road themselves, under the banner of the Juche idea, without any confusion or twists and turns, without any upheaval or instability. Our Republic has steadily consolidated and developed its foreign relations and has contributed to the common cause of mankind. We derive great satisfaction and pride from the fact that we have stood fast on the independent position that we took up. Our stand is one of principle and consistency: we are not at anyone’s beck and call, nor do we dance to anyone else’s tune. In addition, we have always maintained an independent position in our efforts to achieve peace and peaceful reunification of the country. 12 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session National reunification is a cause to realize the independence of our nation, while the principle of national independence is the inalienable fundamental principle of reunification. Great national unity is part and parcel of the process of the independent and peaceful reunification of the country. Great national unity is a fundamental prerequisite to, and an essential factor in, the country’s independent and peaceful reunification. Therefore the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has consistently subordinated everything to the goal of national reunification through great national unity incorporating the principle of national independence. The whole history of the efforts for national reunification and in particular the prevailing situation teach us that the Korean people should move towards greater national unity of the whole nation based on the principle of independence in order to attain the country’s reunification. Of course, there still exist differences in ideologies, ideals and political systems within the nation, but these differences could be overcome without much difficulty, since our nation has its own intrinsic common identity that has been shaped and consolidated through the time-honoured history of 5,000 years. Our nation remains closely knit together by kinship as a homogeneous people, a unique entity in the world, and the whole nation, whether in the north, in the south, or abroad, is united by the common desire for national reunification. Members of the Korean nation should not be viewed differently based on whether they live in the north, south or abroad, nor should distance be put between Korean nationals just in order to curry favour with foreign forces. We can no longer engage in antagonism and confrontation at the sacrifice of our great cause. The inter-Korean dialogue has made such epoch-making progress that the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, and Cooperation and Exchanges and the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula were adopted and effectuated in our country. This is intended to serve our nation’s effort to end the antagonism and confrontation and promote reconciliation and unity and break down the wall of division to pave the way for reunification. Our nation is unanimous in its desire and aspiration to achieve unity, transcending all differences, and to make a tangible contribution to the country’s reunification and the prosperity of the reunified country. The respected leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, President of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, has personally authored and published the "Ten-Point Programme of Great Unity of the Whole Nation for Reunification of the Country" reflecting the desire and will of our nation to terminate the history of division and confrontation and reunify the country. This historic programme provides clarification on how to establish a confederal State through the application of the three principles of independence, peace and great national unity, without any bias against either the north or south, on the basis of coexistence and the equal representation of the two regional governments. The confederal State would be independent, peaceful, non-aligned and neutral, maintaining a balanced posture towards the major Powers. It also envisions the protection of private or corporate capital and assets, and joint stock interests with foreign capital before and after reunification. The Ten-Point Programme of Great Unity of the Whole Nation for Reunification of the Country, which aims to bring about the country’s reunification on the principle of the spirit of national independence, is a charter of national unity and reunification which reflects most comprehensively the will and the aspirations of the Korean nation and takes into full consideration the current international situation. It calls not only on the supporters of reunification but also on those who have feared or remained onlookers to reunification to take a stand for the cause of national unity and reunification. The programme also opens up positive prospects for achieving the historical cause of the country’s reunification within the 1990s. Although obstacles and difficulties still stand in the way of reunification, the entire Korean people will definitely achieve national reunification in great unity, by displaying patriotism and the spirit of national independence. At present, the relaxation of tension and establishment of peace on the Korean peninsula presents itself as an urgent issue, the solution of which allows for no further delay. With a view to easing tension and achieving a durable peace on the Korean peninsula, the Korean Armistice Agreement should, inter alia, be replaced with a peace agreement. In reality, the Korean Armistice Agreement has already become outdated and the armistice mechanism remains in fact paralysed. The continuance in place of the out-of-date armistice arrangements is primarily responsible for a series of complicated and sensitive issues, including the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula - issues still remaining to be resolved. Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 13 The fact that the state of cease-fire and the armistice arrangements of the 1950s remain unchanged even after 40 years is in itself abnormal. It is thanks to the peace-loving policy and the will of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that peace and security have been maintained so far on the Korean peninsula. Only the replacement of the Korean Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement will lead to a full and satisfactory resolution of all the issues, including the nuclear issue, will remove hostility in inter-Korean relations and will work in favour of peace in Korea and its peaceful reunification. Such being the case, if the United Nations continues losing sight of the fundamental issues related to peace on the Korean peninsula and instead preoccupies itself with non- essential issues, it will only throw obstacles in the way of a solution of the Korean question. The United Nations should direct its primary attention to the replacement of the Korean Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement, and play its due role in terminating the armistice system and establishing a new peace arrangement. We believe this is the right time for the United Nations to make an innovative decision to dissolve the United Nations Forces Command in south Korea and to replace the Korean Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement in accordance with resolution 3390 (XXX) B adopted by the thirtieth session of the United Nations General Assembly. In this connection we maintain that negotiations among the parties concerned should begin at the earliest possible time to work out a new peace arrangement that will replace the present armistice system. The denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is another essential factor in building a durable peace and security there. The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remains committed to its consistent position of turning the Korean peninsula into a nuclear-free, peace zone. As we have made clear more than once, we have no nuclear weapons; we have neither the intention nor the need to develop these weapons, nor the financial resources to support their production. We would not object to inspection of our nuclear facilities, but only when impartiality is fully guaranteed. As shown by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea-United States of America talks, the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula is a political issue to be resolved between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America. It is to be recalled that here in New York last June the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America issued a joint statement containing their policy commitments related to a fundamental resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula. The joint statement clarifies, in unambiguous terms, principles of assurances against the threat and use of force including nuclear weapons; peace and security in a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, including impartial application of full-scope safeguards, mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; and support for the peaceful reunification of Korea. At the second round of talks in Geneva, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea delegation put forward a proposal on replacing its existing graphite-moderated reactors and associated nuclear facilities with light-water moderated reactors, thus demonstrating with more clarity the transparency and integrity of its non-nuclear policy. If all the commitments the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America have agreed upon are translated into practice - including assurances against the threat and use of force, including nuclear weapons, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy through light-water moderated reactors, plus the negative security assurances - then the prospects will open up for a fundamental and final resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and the basis for the improvement of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - United States of America relations will be laid down. Furthermore, epoch-making progress will be made in reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula and in ensuring peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world. Initial and meaningful progress in the efforts to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula is the outcome of the negotiations by the responsible parties. This vividly proves that the only way to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula lies in dialogue and negotiations. However, we regret to note that a certain amount of pressure has been renewed by those forces that still remain obsessed with an outdated way of thinking at the time when the talks between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America aimed at resolving the nuclear issue are under way and consultations between our country and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been conducted. 14 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session The so-called resolution on our "nuclear issue" was adopted at the thirty-seventh session of the General Conference of the IAEA, which was held some time ago. This act cannot but be viewed as the product of political conspiracy to impede, by all means, the solution of nuclear issues through negotiations and to stifle our Republic. We regard the adoption of the "resolution" itself at the General Conference of the IAEA as a wanton violation of our Republic’s sovereignty and part of sinister political offensive aimed at forcing international pressure upon us. The whole process of the General Conference of the IAEA held recently has eloquently shown that the measures taken in the past by the secretariat and Board of Governors were unjustifiable, and, accordingly, the agency has lost face and integrity in the process of solving the "nuclear issue". The "nuclear issue" of the Korean peninsula can be resolved only through talks between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America, either in the light of its political character or its origin. Accordingly, two rounds of such talks have been held so far, which is well known to the world. This notwithstanding, it is absurd that the Japanese Prime Minister and the South Korean Foreign Minister picked a quarrel with us in this august Assembly a few days ago, clamouring about "implementing the safeguards agreement" and "international concern about development of nuclear weapons". Japan should not mention the fictitious "development of nuclear weapons", but should give up its attempt to become a military Power and to realize its aim of nuclear armament, which it is accelerating under this pretext. The south Korean authorities should discontinue nuclear-war exercises with foreign forces against fellow countrymen and should not pursue so-called international mutual assistance systems either. Our country, as a member of international society, will implement its commitment to the just and early solution of the nuclear issue. I hope that all the States Members of the United Nations will lend encouragement to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s position in favour of a negotiated resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and fully cooperate in taking practical measures to help implement the points agreed upon at the talks between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America. The peace-loving position of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to turn the Korean peninsula into a nuclear-free peace zone remains unchanged, and we shall continue our sincere efforts in the future, too, to remove the nuclear threat fundamentally and resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula. Today the world situation and international relations call for an early liquidation of the legacies of the cold-war era that have been negated by history and the prevention of all sorts of attempts to reverse the forward movement of history. Universal disarmament and the abolition world wide of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction are most urgent in eliminating the residue of the cold-war era and attaining peace and security in the world. Everything that threatens the survival of mankind and the devastation of society’s treasures should be abolished. The recent moratorium on nuclear testing introduced by certain nuclear-weapon States can be called a step forward, in the light of the fact that nuclear testing itself is the most dangerous nuclear arms race among the nuclear Powers and a major source of nuclear proliferation. It is our view that, along with the permanent ban on nuclear testing, epoch-- making steps should be taken to destroy a colossal number of the nuclear weapons accumulated on the globe and all sorts of nuclear weapons deployed in other countries. In particular, nuclear weapons deployed on the Korean peninsula and its surrounding regions should be dismantled. Without this solution, any talk about international nuclear non-proliferation and world-wide nuclear disarmament is senseless. The existence of military blocs and the presence of foreign military bases and troops in other countries are the products of cold-war policy and are permanent factors threatening world peace and security. Now that the old structure of the cold war has collapsed, there is no justification whatsoever for the existence of the military blocs and their means for waging wars of aggression. The military blocs established under the pretext of the so-called balance of forces during the cold-war era should be dissolved. Furthermore, the presence of foreign military bases and troops in other countries is a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of those nations. This runs counter to the trend towards independence of the present era. We demand the closing of all foreign military bases in various parts of the world and the unconditional withdrawal of foreign troops therefrom. Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 15 The peaceful settlement of disputes between countries and nations is one of the important issues in safeguarding world peace and security at present. In different parts of the world we are now witnessing the trampling underfoot of national sovereignty and the escalation of regional, religious and ethnic disputes into full-fledged wars. This has been disturbing peace and security in some regions, and some countries are suffering from severe disasters. Disputes between countries should be resolved through negotiations between the parties concerned in order to meet their mutual interests and serve the cause of world peace. As long as the structure of the existing inequitable international economic order remains the same, it is impossible to eliminate the ever-widening gap between rich and poor, between the developed and the developing countries and save the developing nations from poverty, disease and disasters. The developed countries must accept responsibility for this and refrain from any actions detrimental to the economic development of the developing countries. This was specifically highlighted in the resolution and recommendations adopted by the Tenth Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Countries. Constructive measures should be taken to resume dialogue between the developed and developing countries, reform the inequitable international economic order and establish a new, equitable international economic order. Along with this, the developing countries should adopt practical measures to realize South-South cooperation, starting from such priority fields as food, agriculture, public health and so on, in an effort to overcome their economic poverty and establish a South-South economic order. The historic tasks and responsibilities the United Nations has assumed before mankind are growing heavier with each passing day, and the world watches the role of the United Nations and its activities. The United Nations should be democratized to meet the requirements of the present situation and the aspirations of its Member States, according to the principles of independence, equality and impartiality. The important point here is that all Member States should be left to fully exercise their sovereignty, regardless of differences in size of population or territory, whether strong or weak, rich or poor. All countries and nations are equal members in international society and are entitled to equal rights. In the world there are big and small countries, but there cannot be senior or junior countries; there are developed and less developed nations, but there cannot be dominating nations and nations destined to be dominated by others. We stand against any privileges being given to any particular nation in international relations. We call for universal adherence to the principles of mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of others, for equality and mutual benefits, and for friendship and cooperation among all the countries to be based on these principles. In the international arena today, some forces are resorting to anachronistic actions; in violation of impartiality and international justice, these forces connive at actions on the part of certain countries that violate international norms on a number of issues, including the nuclear issue, the human rights situation and terrorism, while pretending to be ignorant of them. At the same time, they accuse those countries that disobey them of a "nuclear threat", of "human rights violations" and of "State-sponsored terrorism", imposing unacceptable pressure on them. Unjustifiable and unreasonable actions by a few countries that resort to strong-arm tactics and high-handed behaviour while interfering in the internal affairs of others and applying a double standard to the practice of international relations must no longer be tolerated. The United Nations should undergo restructuring and improvement. Such important measures are needed to meet more effectively the changed reality and new challenges. Primary attention should be paid to reviewing and readjusting the composition of the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. As the non-aligned and other developing countries form a majority of the United Nations membership, they should exercise their voice on an equivalent basis and should not be denied the opportunity to take part in the process of resolving major international issues. We hold that the third world countries should, as a matter of course, be included in the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, in proportion to the numbers of their members in the Organization. At present, Japan is launching a public relations campaign to gain a seat as a permanent member of the Security Council. But Japan is not assuming its due responsibility for the acts of aggression and war crimes committed during the Second World War and has so far failed to make a clean slate of its past. Therefore, it is not 16 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session reasonable to talk about its qualification for permanent membership. Only when the United Nations measures up to its own responsibilities and role on an unprejudiced basis can it take its rightful place as the international Organization that serves international justice and champions world peace; only then will it be able to meet the expectations of its Member States. The destiny of each country and nation is closely interlinked with the common destiny of mankind. The world’s people advocating independence should work together in unity to consolidate their respective national independence, to further their countries’ independent development, and to contribute actively to a stronger world peace and security. We fully support the Cambodian people in their efforts to promote national reconciliation, unity and rehabilitation, as we do the peoples of the member States of the Association of South-East Asian Nations in their endeavours to establish a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality in South-East Asia, and we support other Asian people in their struggle to build a new, independent, peaceful and prosperous Asia. We would like to express our firm solidarity with the Palestinian and all the other Arab peoples who are engaged in efforts towards a fair and lasting solution of the Middle East question, including the Palestinian question; to the entire African people in their struggle to overcome socio-economic difficulties and achieve the independent development of their countries; to the Cuban people in their struggle to defend the country’s sovereignty and dignity and the gains of socialism; and to the Latin American peoples in their efforts towards peace and prosperity. The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Korean people will offer active support and firm solidarity to the people of all countries throughout the world who are struggling to oppose all sorts of domination and subjugation, to build a new society and to promote the common cause of mankind. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is guided by its consistent ideals of independence, peace and friendship in international relations, and these ideals coincide with the ideals of international society. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will continue to hold fast to independence, to further strengthen contacts and cooperation with United Nations Member States, and to remain faithful to the common cause of mankind for global independence. The delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea wishes, in conclusion, to express its hope that at its current session the General Assembly will have a successful discussion of all the agenda items placed before it at this session through the concerted efforts of all the representatives of the various countries, thus contributing to building a new, free and peaceful world.