By Yi Whan-woo
Diplomats from the two Koreas clashed Tuesday over Pyongyang’s nuclear program during the annual U.N. Disarmament Commission session in New York.
South Korea’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. Paik Ji-ah urged North Korea to abandon all nuclear weapons during a debate, Tuesday, which was a part of the session that runs from April 6 to 24.
According to the U.N. website, Paik said that Pyongyang is posing challenges to international non-proliferation efforts under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This is an U.N. objective aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and related technology as well as promoting peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Paik also urged North Korea to return to dialogue for denuclearization with a “sincere attitude and commitment.”
Her remarks came amid growing speculation that the reclusive state may carry out its fourth nuclear test in October.
North Korea’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. An Myong-hun fired back at Paik, saying his country possesses nuclear weapons as “a deterrent in response to external conditions, namely, the hostile policies of the United States against his country.”
“The Republic of Korea’s representative, who brought up the issue of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear weapons during the general debate, ignored the hostile activities taking place in her country in the form of the joint military exercises with the United States,” An said.
He referred to both South Korea and North Korea by their official names, Republic of Korea, and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The repressive regime has claimed annual joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington are “rehearsals for a war against North Korea.”
Paik then responded that such exercises are defensive measures against the military threats from the North.
She also pointed out that the U.N. Security Council resolutions obliged the reclusive state to give up its nuclear program in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
In a subsequent meeting, Wednesday, An claimed it was the U.S. that constantly intensified the nuclear threat instead of providing security assurances to North Korea.
“Our nuclear forces are the life and soul of our nation, which cannot be given up as long as the nuclear threat to us persists,” he said.