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Statement by H.E. Ambassador JA Song Nam, Permanent Representative

of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea to the United Nations
at the UN Security Council briefing on the theme of
"Non-proliferation / Democratic People's Republic of Korea"
( 15 December 2017, New York )
Mr. President,

At the outset, I condemn Japan, in my strongest possible terms, who is holding presidency of
the UN Security Council during December this year and instigated by the United States, is now
making an evil use of its opportunity by convening the ministerial briefing of UNSC on
"non-proliferation" issue of the DPRK.

I've to mention about that the meeting today is none other than a desperate measure plotted
by the U.S. being terrified by the incredible might of our Republic that has successfully achieved
the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, cause of building a rocket power
through the "great November event".

I believe that if "non-proliferation" issue is to be discussed, the first countries to be brought

before the court of justice are the U.S. who is the kingpin of vertical and horizontal proliferation,
pouring astronomical amount of funds into the modernization of nuclear weapons and hindering
in every way the denuclearization of the Middle East, and Japan who keeps more than necessary
stockpile of plutonium and seeks every opportunity to produce nuclear weapons.

Our possession of nuclear weapons was an inevitable self-defensive measure to defend our
sovereignty and rights to existence and development from the U.S. nuclear threat and blackmail
and if anyone is to blame for it, the U.S. is the one who must be held accountable.

There are several nuclear power states over the world now, but there is no country like U.S.
who is continuing to openly threat and blackmail other countries with its nuclear weapons.

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 We could easily draw to the answer of this case, only being noted how much amount of
money the U.S. is running through for the maintenance and modernization of its nuclear
weapons.

It is already well known to the outside that the U.S. has now stockpiled more than 4,000
nuclear warheads in its nuclear arsenal, deploying over 150 tactical nuclear bombs over the
territory of its NATO allies and is now planning to consume of around one trillion US$ for its
nuclear weapon's maintenance and modernization during 30 years in future.

All of the figures above clearly prove that the U.S. is only the ring leader in nuclear
proliferation.

It is also disturbing to see the UN Security Council acting like a tools of the U.S. and
playing to its tune instead of keeping impartiality as the lifeline in its activities, true to its mission
to preserve international peace and security.

It is UN Security Council of today that, while ignoring our repeated requests to bring the
issue of the provocative and aggressive joint military exercises on the table of the Council, the
most graphic manifestation of nuclear threat and blackmail of the U.S., keeps itself busy
kowtowing to the U.S. that asserts sanctions and pressure against us by condemning our
self-defensive measures.

The DPRK, at every time when the U.S.-south Korea joint military exercises that
threatening seriously the peace and security of the Korean peninsula, its region and the world are
waged, submitted the letters to the Security Council for 11 times from the year 2014, requesting
to raise the issue and discuss it emergently at the Council.

However, on the contrary, turning away its face at every time of our request for such
aggressive joint military exercises to the last, the UN Security Council has adopted 11 "sanctions
resolutions" against my Country, denouncing our self-defensive measures as of "threat to
international peace and security".

With only above mentioned fact, we could easily prove unfairness, double standard and
paltry prejudice of the Security Council.

As we have clarified in the government statement, the development and advancement of the
strategic weapon of the DPRK are entirely to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
the Country from the U.S.' nuclear blackmail policy and nuclear threat and to ensure the peaceful
life of the people and therefore, we would not pose any threat to any country and region as long
as the interests of the DPRK are not infringed upon.

Reiterating once again, our nuclear force is served thoroughly for its mission as

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self-defensive deterrent and it is fully accord to the rule 51 of the UN Charter, stipulating the
right of exercise of self-defensive measures to be taken by individual UN member state.

The DPRK, in accordance to the decree of the Supreme People's Assembly adopted on 1
April 2013, has established absolutely perfect system and orders of stockpiling and maintaining
to fully guarantee any kind of illegal transfer of nuclear weapons, its technology and
weapon-grade nuclear materials.

As of the result, there is no single case been raised about our nuclear proliferation up to the
moment. All of the data of impurity related with my Country's proliferation scattered by hostile
forces are totally groundless plot intending to defame the dignity of the DPRK, the powerful
nuclear state, and nothing but only violent behaviour of inteference by picking up the issue of
strengthening of our national defensive measures.

The possession of the nuclear by the DPRK could not be the violation of any international
laws and regulations in any case, for the DPRK had withdrawn from the NPT in a most justified
way.

At the same, it is clear to everybody that the DPRK does not infringe any interest of other
countries and the purpose of possession of nuclear deterrent is only for self-defensive and to
safeguard the peace of the region.

The DPRK, whoever what says, will march forward and make great advancement
victoriously as world most powerful nuclear and military state upholding the line on simultaneous
development of the Two Fronts.

In conclusion, hereby, I reaffirm once again that the DPRK, as a responsible nuclear power
and a peace-loving state, will sincerely fulfill its non-proliferation obligation assumed before the
international society and put in every effort to achieve the noble cause of safeguarding world
peace and security.

I thank you.