Miroslav Jenča at a meeting of the Security Council. Whether the deployment of DPRK troops in Russia violates the relevant resolutions is for the UN Security Council to decide Peace and Security
The UN is concerned about reports of the sending of a DPRK military contingent to Russia and its possible deployment in the conflict zone, but does not have any information on this issue other than what is coming from open sources.
This was stated by Miroslav Jenca, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The UN Security Council meeting on the possible participation of North Korean troops in the conflict was requested by Ukraine, which was supported by several countries, including South Korea.
“The United Nations does not have any further details on this matter and is not in a position to verify or confirm the allegations or reports,” the UN spokesman said. “Our knowledge on this topic is therefore based solely on information that is in the public domain.”
Number estimates ‘vary widely’
According to media reports and statements by officials of Member States, troops from the DPRK have arrived in the Russian Federation, Yencha continued. “Estimates of their numbers vary greatly,” he added.
In the context of reports of the presence of DPRK troops in Russia, the UN representative recalled that on June 19, 2024, the “Treaty on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” was signed in Pyongyang. This document, the rapporteur noted, provides, in particular, for cooperation on issues related to security and defense.
Ratification of the military treaty with the DPRK
The treaty, Jenca informed the Security Council members, was ratified by the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, on October 24. “It is expected that the upper house will also support it,” he noted.
He also recalled that there had been previous reports that the DPRK had transferred ballistic missiles and artillery shells to Russia “for possible use in its military actions in Ukraine.”
The danger of intensification of military action
“We call on all relevant parties to refrain from any steps that could lead to the expansion and intensification of military actions in Ukraine,” Jenca emphasized. – In this regard, we also recall the relevant Security Council resolutions on the DPRK.”
“The question of whether the presence of North Korean troops in Russia can fall under these resolutions should be decided by the Security Council,” he said, once again calling for compliance with Security Council resolutions, including those concerning the DPRK.
A grave humanitarian situation
Yencha noted that military actions have led to an extremely grave humanitarian situation, and their continuation and intensification will only worsen it for the civilian population of Ukraine. In addition, the “escalatory trajectory” deepens geopolitical differences.
He called for “redoubling efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine – in accordance with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.”
Positions of Security Council members
Francecondemns the sending of the DPRK military contingent to Russia. This was stated by the Permanent Representative of this country to the UN Nicolas de Riviere. He emphasized that Russia’s use of North Korean missiles, which was reported earlier, already violates Security Council resolutions for which Russia itself previously voted.
The representative of South Korea warned that military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK poses a serious threat to both Europe and Asia. Official Seoul considers such cooperation “illegal”. The country’s representative emphasized that support for “aggression” – as he called the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine – is already illegal. And the supply of weapons and manpower violates the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
Permanent Representative Great BritainAt the UN, Barbara Woodward said that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia constitutes a violation of Security Council resolutions and thus undermines not only international security, but also the work of this United Nations body.
She reported that more than 600,000 Russian troops were killed and wounded in the war against Ukraine, and military spending will account for more than forty percent of government spending next year. The ambassador noted that Russia is “significantly impoverished,” is “in a desperate situation,” and needs external support to continue the war.
Robert Wood, the US representative to the UN, also believes that Russia’s decision to call on the DPRK as an ally in this war is evidence of Moscow’s “desperation.” He reported that the DPRK, according to the US, has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia and their numbers may be increased in the coming weeks. Some of the troops, the diplomat noted, have already approached the border with Ukraine.
Permanent Representative Russia at the UN Vasily Nebenzya resolutely denied all statements about the allegedly deplorable situation of Russia. He also called reports of the transfer of DPRK troops to Ukraine disinformation.
“And even if we imagine that everything that is said about cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation turned out to be true, why are the United States and its allies trying to impose on the whole world the logic that they have the right to help the Zelensky regime, and Russia’s allies do not have this right?,” Nebenzya said.
Military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is not directed against third countries and does not pose a threat to international security, Nebenzya emphasized. “We intend to develop this cooperation, and no one can forbid us from doing so,” the diplomat said. He warned South Korea against getting involved in the Ukrainian conflict, noting that Russia values its relations with Seoul.
China advocates peace and dialogue, encourages negotiations, and calls on the parties to exercise restraint and not to make efforts that could escalate military action.
In this context, Chinese representative Geng Shuang recalled the peace initiatives of his country, Brazil and other partners. He also touched upon the situation on the Korean Peninsula, stressing that maintaining peace and security is in the interests of all countries.
Material is being updated…