ROK Envoy at UN Emergency Session: Dividing Countries Causes Problems
Few in Russia hold North Korea’s opinion on matters in high esteem, so why would the Russian media’s coverage of the recent declared annexation of Ukrainian territory widely discuss North Korea’s support? Probably because, as South Korea’s envoy to the UN pointed out, Pyongyang was one of the few countries that actually offered its support.
One can debate to no end whether Seoul dropped the ball or was simply understandably cautious in its initial condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of this year. One thing that is for certain, however, is that the ROK has continued to show a commitment to the liberal values it professes to support.
While today’s English-language coverage of South Korean ambassador Hwang Joon-kook’s remarks have been brief, couched in the context of other countries’ statements, Yonhap News’ Korean edition takes a deeper look at Ambassador Hwang’s remarks.
South Korea UN ambassador Hang Joonkook “Russia’s annexation referendum unacceptable, illegal”[1]
“The only country praising the annexation is North Korea – Russia and permanent members of the UNSC must fulfill their duties.”
After holding referendums in four Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine, the South Korean government has slammed Russia’s declared annexation of these territories as illegal.
On October 12th (local time) at an emergency session of the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, South Korean ambassador to the UN Hwang Joon-kook took the floor to declare “The South Korean government once again affirms its position of respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, political independence, territorial preservation.”
Ambassador Hwang declared “The international community can neither allow nor accept this illegal behavior.”
That day the General Assembly held an emergency session aimed at discussing a resolution on not recognizing the declaration of annexation, while judging Russia’s referendums in and annexation of four Ukrainian territories – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson – as being illegal actions having no validity under international law.
In addition, Ambassador Hwang mentioned that Korea has experienced the pain of division, asserting that “dividing one country’s land can in no way, shape or form serve as a solution”, stating that it only causes serious problems.
Furthermore, he stated that “The only country that has expressed support for Russia’s forced referendum and its declared annexation is North Korea” while raising the point that global public opinion continues to support Ukraine.
Ambassador Hwang, after citing Yoon Suk Yeol’s entreaty in a speech at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly to “stand together in solidarity to defend… freedom” when the “freedom of any citizen or nation in the global community is in peril,” affirmed that the South Korean government will make every effort for the maintenance of peace in the international community.
Additionally, Ambassador Hwang also expressed concerns about Russia’s nuclear threats.
He pointed out that while the five recognized nuclear powers issued a joint statement at the beginning of this year that they would only use nuclear weapons for defensive purposes, Russia’s behavior contradicts this.
Ambassador Hwang continued “The South Korean government urges Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council by virtue of its status as a nuclear power, to fulfill its responsibilities as such.”
Original article by Ko Il-hwan. Translated by Anthony V. Rinna.
[1] Source: South Korea UN ambassador Hwang Joonkook “Russia’s annexation referendum unacceptable, illegal” [황준국 주유엔대사 “러시아 병합투표 인정 못 해…국제법 위반”], Yonhap News Agency, October 13, 2022, https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20221013000900072
