- 1 -
(CCW) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Let me begin by joining previous speakers in congratulating you on your assumption of the chairmanship of this important meeting. I am confident that, under your able stewardship, this meeting will be guided to a successful conclusion. I assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
Over the past 27 years since it came into force, the CCW has been at the center of the contemporary conventional disarmament machinery, while preserving the principles of international humanitarian law. The CCW, which seeks the right balance between humanitarian concerns and military needs, has made major achievements in tackling the challenges posed by armed conflict. It has proved to be a dynamic instrument, capable of responding to developments in weapons technology and to evolving nature of armed conflicts, through the adoption of new protocols. Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) is a good example of this.
As a State Party to the CCW, the Republic of Korea attaches great importance to the indispensable role of the Convention in addressing humanitarian concerns, and has faithfully implemented the principles and provisions enshrined therein.
Our government continues to raise awareness among the Armed Forces on the Convention and its protocols through regular education and training courses for the military personnel. Furthermore, we have taken all necessary measures to effectively implement the Convention and its protocols, including the establishment and enforcement of “Instructions on the Management of ERW and so forth” by the Ministry of National Defense.
Mr. Chairman,
With this in mind, allow me to draw your and all the CCW member states’ urgent attention to the North Korea’s recent provocative shelling, which is a grim reminder of the dire security reality surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
On November 23rd , only 2 days ago, the North Korean military fired more than 170 rounds of artillery shells on Yeonpyeong Island and its adjacent waters.
North Korea's unprovoked shelling of Yeonpyeong Island is a clear act of provocation against the Republic of Korea, a premeditated and deliberate act of attack in blatant violation of the UN Charter, the Armistice Agreement, and the
- 2 -
Protocol on the Implementation and Observance of the Non-aggression Chapter of the South-North Basic Agreement of 1992.
As a result, two marines were killed with an additional sixteen injured. The indiscriminate shelling also caused 2 civilian deaths and three more injured, and damaged much of civilian residential area on the island. Amid numerous provocations North Korea has committed since the Armistice Agreement in 1953, the direct attack against civilians is unprecedented. The ROK and its people express deep rage over North Korea’s provocation against the ROK, particularly, the indiscriminate shelling on civilians, which is against the international humanitarian law all the CCW member states value.
We urge North Korea to stop all activities that endangers peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the surrounding region. We cannot pass North Korea's attack over in silence and the ROK Government will respond to any further North Korean provocation in a resolute manner.
Mr. Chairman,
This year, we have had negotiations on the issue of cluster munitions. First of all, we highly appreciate the enormous efforts put forward by the GGE Chair, the Friends of Chair and the Secretariat. Although we could not reach a consensus on a final outcome, we believe the efforts we have put forward so far are by no means in vain.
We will continue to participate actively and constructively in future negotiations, pending the final agreement on the future Protocol. In the meantime, we will do our part to reduce the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions by reflecting the appropriate international standards on our national defense policy.
Lastly, facing the stringent security realities of the Korean Peninsula, the Korean government will remain committed to the spirit and object of the CCW.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
