ID :
106309
Fri, 02/12/2010 - 17:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/106309
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean mission chief says U.N. not ready to remove N. Korea sanctions
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's mission to the United Nations on Friday said the U.N. Security Council was not ready to discuss a possible removal of sanctions on North Korea, adding such discussions will only take place after the communist nation makes significant progress toward denuclearization.
"Basically, the Security Council will decide whether to ease or remove the
sanctions after reviewing the progress in North Korea's denuclearization process
as stated in Resolution 1874," Ambassador Park In-kook told reporters, referring
to a Security Council resolution that was adopted last year shortly after North
Korea's missile tests and its second nuclear detonation.
"But I believe it will be more accurate to say the mood of the Security Council
is not yet ripe enough to begin such discussions," he added.
North Korea has boycotted six-nation talks on ending its nuclear program since
December 2008, but said last month that it will return to the talks if the U.N.
sanctions are first removed.
All five other participants in the six-nation talks -- South Korea, the United
States, Japan, China and Russia -- have rejected the demand, saying the removal
of the sanctions can only be considered after the North first returns to the
nuclear talks. The U.S., China and Russia are also veto-wielding permanent
members of the Security Council, along with Britain and France.
Park noted it was difficult to tell how effective the U.N. sanctions were in
terms of numbers, citing the difficulty of obtaining any reliable information on
the current state of the reclusive North.
But he said the sanctions were proving very effective in two aspects.
"First of all, we believe the sanctions sent a very strong political and
emotional message (from the international community) to the North in that they
are being effectively carried out," Park said.
"Secondly, it is the general opinion of the United Nations that the sanctions
have had a practical effect on North Korea by blocking its weapons exports and
money-making," he added.
Park, 58, was on a brief trip back home for the annual conference of diplomatic
mission chiefs, which ended earlier Friday.
When asked about the possible reelection of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,
the South Korean envoy said there appeared to be no major obstacles to the South
Korea-born head of the world body gaining a second term.
"I believe Secretary-General Ban will not face any great difficulties in his
reelection as the international community highly evaluates the leadership he has
shown in an era of unprecedented global crises and challenges," Park said.
Ban's first five-year term ends at the end of next year with a vote for the next
secretary-general of the United Nations expected to be held in June of that year.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's mission to the United Nations on Friday said the U.N. Security Council was not ready to discuss a possible removal of sanctions on North Korea, adding such discussions will only take place after the communist nation makes significant progress toward denuclearization.
"Basically, the Security Council will decide whether to ease or remove the
sanctions after reviewing the progress in North Korea's denuclearization process
as stated in Resolution 1874," Ambassador Park In-kook told reporters, referring
to a Security Council resolution that was adopted last year shortly after North
Korea's missile tests and its second nuclear detonation.
"But I believe it will be more accurate to say the mood of the Security Council
is not yet ripe enough to begin such discussions," he added.
North Korea has boycotted six-nation talks on ending its nuclear program since
December 2008, but said last month that it will return to the talks if the U.N.
sanctions are first removed.
All five other participants in the six-nation talks -- South Korea, the United
States, Japan, China and Russia -- have rejected the demand, saying the removal
of the sanctions can only be considered after the North first returns to the
nuclear talks. The U.S., China and Russia are also veto-wielding permanent
members of the Security Council, along with Britain and France.
Park noted it was difficult to tell how effective the U.N. sanctions were in
terms of numbers, citing the difficulty of obtaining any reliable information on
the current state of the reclusive North.
But he said the sanctions were proving very effective in two aspects.
"First of all, we believe the sanctions sent a very strong political and
emotional message (from the international community) to the North in that they
are being effectively carried out," Park said.
"Secondly, it is the general opinion of the United Nations that the sanctions
have had a practical effect on North Korea by blocking its weapons exports and
money-making," he added.
Park, 58, was on a brief trip back home for the annual conference of diplomatic
mission chiefs, which ended earlier Friday.
When asked about the possible reelection of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,
the South Korean envoy said there appeared to be no major obstacles to the South
Korea-born head of the world body gaining a second term.
"I believe Secretary-General Ban will not face any great difficulties in his
reelection as the international community highly evaluates the leadership he has
shown in an era of unprecedented global crises and challenges," Park said.
Ban's first five-year term ends at the end of next year with a vote for the next
secretary-general of the United Nations expected to be held in June of that year.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
