Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea Advocates for Robust Global Action Against North Korean Nuclear Program at Upcoming ASEAN and G20 Summits

The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, has announced his intentions to stress the importance of rigorous enforcement of U.N. sanctions against North Korea when international leaders assemble for annual summits in Indonesia and India this week.

President Yoon is set to be in Jakarta for a four-day visit starting Tuesday, participating in various summits that coincide with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting. He will then proceed to New Delhi for a gathering of significant global economies.

“In the forthcoming summits associated with ASEAN and the G20, my aim is to encourage a steadfast international stance against the progressively intensifying missile tests and nuclear challenges presented by North Korea and to foster unified efforts towards its denuclearization,” Yoon articulated in written responses to The Big Big News inquiries.

Yoon emphasized that by scrupulously adhering to existing U.N. Security Council sanctions, it is feasible to considerably hinder North Korea’s financial capabilities for developing weapons of mass destruction.

Despite grappling with economic woes exacerbated mainly by stringent pandemic restrictions, North Korea has continued to engage in an unprecedented number of missile tests since the previous year. According to South Korean officials, illicit undertakings such as cyber hacking and prohibited exports have become increasingly important financial resources for North Korea’s weapons development. Moreover, a considerable contingent of North Korean laborers has apparently stayed in China and Russia, despite a U.N. mandate calling for their repatriation, thus providing a vital source of foreign currency.

During the G20 summit, Yoon aims to highlight “the urgency to proactively obstruct North Korea from acquiring cryptocurrency, deploying laborers overseas, and engaging in illegal maritime transactions—key financial pillars of its nuclear and missile programs.”

The escalating nuclear capabilities of North Korea not only pose a severe security dilemma for South Korea but also raise substantial threats for the United States and Japan. The potential reach of North Korea’s long-range missiles extends to the U.S. mainland, while its short-range missiles could target both South Korea and Japan, which are crucial U.S. allies.

A trilateral agreement was reached last August at Camp David between Yoon, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The accord includes annual joint military exercises and real-time data sharing on North Korean missile activities, in addition to setting up a trilateral group aimed at enhancing cooperation against cyber threats from North Korea.

North Korea responded vehemently to the trilateral agreements, accusing the leaders of inciting nuclear provocations. Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, dubbed Yoon, Biden, and Kishida as “the masterminds” behind these activities.

Citing undisclosed recent evaluations, Yoon stated that North Korea’s economic condition is the direst since Kim assumed power in late 2011. “The North Korean government is squandering scarce financial resources on nuclear and missile development. The economic contraction is ongoing, and the hardship among its populace is intensifying. Under such conditions, persisting with nuclear development will only exacerbate the regime’s instability,” Yoon pointed out.

Despite multiple missile tests that breach U.N. sanctions, attempts by the United States and other nations to impose harsher sanctions have been consistently thwarted by China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Moreover, there are suspicions that North Korea has supplied munitions to Russia for use in its conflict with Ukraine.

President Yoon noted that a staggering 97% of North Korea’s external trade was with China last year. He emphasized the crucial role Beijing could play: “The pivotal question is whether China will exercise its considerable influence over North Korea, and to what extent.”

Regarding regional stability, Yoon underscored that China needs to contribute “constructive efforts for the denuclearization of North Korea,” especially if the latter persists with its illicit missile tests. He added that the North Korean nuclear program could disrupt the regional order, thereby adversely affecting China’s national interests.

Although there are differing opinions among experts about the precise status of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, there is consensus that it is unlikely Kim will willingly dismantle his nuclear program. Observers believe that North Korea’s ultimate aim is to leverage its expanding nuclear arsenal for sanctions relief from the United States.

Last week, North Korea conducted missile tests simulating nuclear attacks on South Korea and practiced occupying its southern neighbor’s territory.

“The international community must unequivocally signal that its resolve to halt North Korea’s nuclear ambitions outweighs North Korea’s determination to continue its program,” Yoon affirmed.

In Jakarta, Yoon will partake in the South Korea-ASEAN summit, the ASEAN Plus Three (South Korea, Japan, China) summit, and the East Asia Summit, featuring major Indo-Pacific countries including the U.S., China, and Russia.

Yoon expressed that the joint statement issued after the Camp David summit clearly delineates the value that the three nations—South Korea, the United States, and Japan—place on ASEAN and Pacific Island nations, highlighting cooperative priorities above other regional matters.

At the G20 summit, Yoon sees an opportunity for South Korea to spearhead global efforts to address challenges faced by humanity, including enhancing contributions to aid climate-vulnerable countries and fortifying global cooperation for a transition to cleaner energy sources.

For additional Asia-Pacific coverage, please visit https://bigbignews.net/asia-pacific.

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More about Yoon Suk Yeol on North Korean Sanctions

• South Korea’s Official Statement on ASEAN Summit
• United Nations Sanctions on North Korea
• The G20 Summit Agenda
• U.S.-South Korea-Japan Trilateral Summit at Camp David
• China-North Korea Trade Relations
• Russia’s Involvement in Ukraine
• Cyber Threats from North Korea
• North Korea’s Economic Condition
• Real-time Missile Warning Systems
• Denuclearization Efforts in North Korea