「不拡散／北朝鮮」に関する安保理公開会合における石兼大使ステートメント
令和4年11月21日
(As delivered)
Thank you, Mr. President. I also thank Ms. Rosemary A. DiCarlo for her briefing.
Mr. President,
Since the beginning of this year, North Korea has repeatedly and persistently conducted more missile launches, and more different types of launches, at a higher frequency than ever before. Not only the number of missiles, but also the level of threat has increased.
Just in the past two months, we witnessed unlawful missile launches including one that flew over Japan for the first time in five years and one that impacted near the ROK’s territorial waters. This time, North Korea launched an ICBM-class ballistic missile again. It impacted in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), just 200km from Hokkaido. This is a clear escalation which is unacceptable and unlawful.
Japan strongly condemns this launch. Japan also echoes and supports the message of the Secretary-General on this launch.
Mr. President,
Let me make three points.
First, these missile launches not only pose an imminent and grave threat to Japan’s security but also endanger all the people in the region. They endanger vessels and expose aircraft in the surrounding area to great safety risk. No one can be assured of a safe life in the face of such continuously destabilizing conduct. This is a serious threat not only for Japan and the ROK but for the entire region and beyond.
Second, let me point out another unacceptable aspect of the most recent launch. The ICBM-class ballistic missile flew an estimated 1000km with an apogee of an estimated 6000km. At the same time, however, calculations based on the flight trajectory indicate that the estimated capable range of the missile could exceed 15,000km. In that case, all of Asia, all of Europe, all of North America including New York, all of Africa and even part of South America would be within range of this delivery system of unlawful nuclear warheads. Let me repeat, the threat goes well beyond the region. It is outrageous to allow North Korea to take hostage the entire international community.
Third and lastly, I must stress once again the crucial need for this Council to firmly stand against this serious challenge to international peace and security as well as to its credibility. The Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2397 in 2017, in which it decided to take action if North Korea were to launch an ICBM or conduct a nuclear test. I have already stated several times in this room that we must not allow the current situation to become a “new normal”. The UN Charter is clear. All Member States have agreed to carry out the decisions of the Security Council. Violations should not go unchecked. There are no smaller or larger violations. I do not believe that this Council should tolerate ballistic missile launches and wait for a nuclear test before finally taking action. It is the unified determination of all Council members never to allow a “nuclear North Korea” with ballistic missile capabilities, and this should remain ironclad, irrespective of Council members’ bilateral relations with North Korea. Now is the time for the Council to reaffirm this commitment by coming up with unified message. PRST suggested by the US is a step forward while waiting for stronger or more robust actions to be adopted.
Mr. President,
In concluding, Japan urges North Korea to immediately and fully comply with all relevant resolutions and to engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization and accept the repeated offers of dialogue. Japan also urges all Member States to fully implement relevant resolutions and cooperate with the 1718 Committee. Japan reiterates its sincere and strong expectation that the Council will fulfill its responsibility by taking a resolute action.
Thank you very much.
Mr. President,
Since the beginning of this year, North Korea has repeatedly and persistently conducted more missile launches, and more different types of launches, at a higher frequency than ever before. Not only the number of missiles, but also the level of threat has increased.
Just in the past two months, we witnessed unlawful missile launches including one that flew over Japan for the first time in five years and one that impacted near the ROK’s territorial waters. This time, North Korea launched an ICBM-class ballistic missile again. It impacted in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), just 200km from Hokkaido. This is a clear escalation which is unacceptable and unlawful.
Japan strongly condemns this launch. Japan also echoes and supports the message of the Secretary-General on this launch.
Mr. President,
Let me make three points.
First, these missile launches not only pose an imminent and grave threat to Japan’s security but also endanger all the people in the region. They endanger vessels and expose aircraft in the surrounding area to great safety risk. No one can be assured of a safe life in the face of such continuously destabilizing conduct. This is a serious threat not only for Japan and the ROK but for the entire region and beyond.
Second, let me point out another unacceptable aspect of the most recent launch. The ICBM-class ballistic missile flew an estimated 1000km with an apogee of an estimated 6000km. At the same time, however, calculations based on the flight trajectory indicate that the estimated capable range of the missile could exceed 15,000km. In that case, all of Asia, all of Europe, all of North America including New York, all of Africa and even part of South America would be within range of this delivery system of unlawful nuclear warheads. Let me repeat, the threat goes well beyond the region. It is outrageous to allow North Korea to take hostage the entire international community.
Third and lastly, I must stress once again the crucial need for this Council to firmly stand against this serious challenge to international peace and security as well as to its credibility. The Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2397 in 2017, in which it decided to take action if North Korea were to launch an ICBM or conduct a nuclear test. I have already stated several times in this room that we must not allow the current situation to become a “new normal”. The UN Charter is clear. All Member States have agreed to carry out the decisions of the Security Council. Violations should not go unchecked. There are no smaller or larger violations. I do not believe that this Council should tolerate ballistic missile launches and wait for a nuclear test before finally taking action. It is the unified determination of all Council members never to allow a “nuclear North Korea” with ballistic missile capabilities, and this should remain ironclad, irrespective of Council members’ bilateral relations with North Korea. Now is the time for the Council to reaffirm this commitment by coming up with unified message. PRST suggested by the US is a step forward while waiting for stronger or more robust actions to be adopted.
Mr. President,
In concluding, Japan urges North Korea to immediately and fully comply with all relevant resolutions and to engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization and accept the repeated offers of dialogue. Japan also urges all Member States to fully implement relevant resolutions and cooperate with the 1718 Committee. Japan reiterates its sincere and strong expectation that the Council will fulfill its responsibility by taking a resolute action.
Thank you very much.