Park, Obama warn NK of consequences
President Park Geun-hye talks with U.S. President Barack Obama during a ROK-U.S. summit in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday. / Joint press corps
S. Korea, US adopt joint statement on NK
By Kang Seung-woo
WASHINGTON ― The leaders of South Korea and the United States warned North Korea Friday that it will have to face measures by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) if it carries out another nuclear test or launches a ballistic missile again.
They also vowed to work with the international community to address “deplorable” human rights violations in North Korea and for it to improve the lives of the North Korean people.
The agreements between President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama were included in the joint statement they adopted after their summit in Washington.
“We oppose any actions by North Korea that raise tensions or violate UNSC resolutions,” the joint statement said.
“In particular, if North Korea launches a ballistic missile or conducts a nuclear test, it will face consequences, including further significant measures by the UNSC.”
The joint statement came while the repressive state is still expected to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.
The North showcased what it claimed were long-range ballistic missiles loaded with small and diversified nuclear warheads in a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party on Oct. 10.
The UNSC prevents the North from conducting any nuclear tests or launching ballistic missiles according to its 2009 resolution.
“In this regard, we are committed to working with the international community to ensure the effective and transparent implementation of all UNSC resolutions, including sanctions and measures concerning North Korea,” it said.
Since 2006, the North has conducted three nuclear tests, Kim Jong-un dreaming of his nation becoming a nuclear power state.
However, the two leaders stood firm against recognizing the country as a nuclear-weapons state and urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for economic support.
“We reaffirm that we will never accept North Korea as a nuclear-weapons state, and that its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons is incompatible with its economic development goals,” the statement said.
“We stand ready to offer a brighter future to North Korea, if North Korea demonstrates a genuine willingness to completely abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and agrees to abide by its international obligations and commitments.”
They also agreed to work together with China and other members of the six-party talks to achieve their shared goal of denuclearization. The denuclearization talks have been suspended since 2008.
“We will continue to strengthen our coordination with China and the other nations in order to bring North Korea, which has refused all offers of denuclearization dialogue, back to credible and meaningful talks as soon as possible,” it said.
Along with their decision to counter the North’s threats, they also touched on the sensitive matter of the North’s human rights violations.
“We look forward to supporting the work of the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Seoul,” the statement said. The office was set up in June.
The North’s human rights situation was in the spotlight as the U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) last year unveiled a report that accused Pyongyang of “systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights.”
In a related move, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution in December that calls for the UNSC to refer the North’s situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“We remain dedicated to working with the international community to improve human rights in North Korea and ensure accountability for human rights violations, as well as to improve the livelihood of the people in North Korea,” it added.