Remarks by Ambassador Bessho, Following Security Council Consultations on DPRK
9 September 2016
Ambassador Koro Bessho: As a member of the Security Council, representing the Asian region, I would like to say a few words supplementing what the President of the SC had to say when he was explaining and reading out the Security Council press statement.
This afternoon, we met because Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea asked for an emergency meeting in view of the fact that we needed to act immediately in response to the nuclear test by DPRK. As you know, DPRK is the only entity that is conducting nuclear tests, blasts, this century, and given the fact that this year marks the 20th anniversary of CTPT, it is deplorable, unacceptable, that this is the second time they have conducted a nuclear test this year.
Given also the fact that we’ve had to respond to numerous ballistic missile launches by the North Koreans, it is their planned well-programmed effort to build up a nuclear arsenal, not just by nuclear tests but also by developing means of transportation. So, Japan felt, and the US and ROK felt that we needed to meet urgently. I can report to you that there was a unanimous feeling, understanding, that the nuclear test is a flagrant violation of the numerous relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as a contravention of the promises they made through the Six-Party Talks and many other arena.
Individual countries represented in the council have already expressed very clear statements of condemnation about the test, but the feeling was that the Security Council must urgently make its position clear. The press statement that was agreed upon has been read by the President, so you have heard it. Towards the end of the press statement, you heard that the council will continue to be engaged on this matter, and if I may read it again, “In line with this commitment and the gravity of this violation, the members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under Article 41 on a SC Resolution.” We will continue to work expeditiously to react to this flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions.
Question: Mr. Ambassador, we heard also the SG this morning and the SG said, for example, he doesn’t know why North Korea is doing this. My question is to you and all other members of the Council. The question is: Do you think that the North Korean leadership is just crazy in doing this? Or do they have certain demands? If they have certain demands can you share with us what those are to stop those experiments?
Ambassador Bessho: I think you have heard through the North Korean media itself what the North Koreans are saying. They are talking about a plan to develop nuclear weapons in order to be a full nuclear weapons state, and that is unacceptable to the international community. I cannot speak for North Korea, you have to ask that question for the North Korean authorities.
Question: Are we talking about a new sanctions resolution or measures under existing sanctions resolution?
Ambassador Bessho: I cannot speak for the council. I’m not the President, I will speak for myself. Yes, Japan will seek a fresh resolution with fresh measures. That is our position, the Security Council will certainly discuss the proposals that are made by the members, and we hope that we will be able to come up with a strong set of measures which will send a strong message to DPRK.
Question: Did you get a sense in the consultations today of any resistance to your idea? One P-5 member was asked about sanctions and didn’t answer. Do you have a sense that everyone is on board for some form of new Chapter 7 resolution?
Ambassador Bessho: I can’t speak for the others, but if you talk about…everyone condemned the test. And when many members talked about working for further measures, I don’t think there was any statement which opposed that idea.
Question: Could you provide more detail about the response of China and Russia?
Ambassador Bessho: I cannot, I am just speaking for myself. You will have to ask China and Russia directly. Thank you very much.
