Russia's Position on North Korea Nuclear Program: Model United Nations

Committee: Security Council

Topic: North Korea Nuclear Programme

Country: Russia Federation

Delegates: Hour Sopheana, Kuch Darika, Uk Dararath 

The development of Korean Nuclear Program has posed significant threats to the world. Recently, North Korea has been conducting several nuclear missiles tests and pursuing and advancing the nuclear program although there have been adoptions of resolutions in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2016 including urging for dismantling its nuclear program and strengthening sanctions from UNSC. The missile tests by North Korea have affected peace and stability in Northeast Asia as well as global.  Realizing the North Korean nuclear program is the security concerns; Russia works collaboratively in United Nations Security Council to seek for a peaceful solution where it can make sure to serve global peace and stability.

North Korea claimed that it possessed nuclear weapons in 2007. The tension had started even before the claim. North Korea withdrew himself from the treaty of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT) in 1985. The problem escalated and became world remarkable attentions that required careful and serious actions. Series of missile tests have been conducted by North Korea. The first test was in 2006, namely a weapon for “peace”. This test was taken underground, in the tunnel of a mountainous site in the northeast. The second test was also taken underground but no radiation was leaked. Moreover, this nuclear bomb was much bigger than the first one as it was estimated to yield to 2-8 kilotons. In 2013, the third uranium test was launched again near Punggye-ri. This showed that Uranium test could make a remarkable great leap forward in North Korea’s nuclear program. Another test called the Hydrogen bomb was launched in 2016. The bomb was largely more powerful than atomic bombs. Recently, North Korea also fired four missiles into water in Japan’s coast but has not caused any damage but security concerns. All the tests have forced UNSC to take actions because not only Northeast Asia but also the whole world have been at risk of safety with the danger of North Korea Nuclear program and testing. The North Korean nuclear testing have called for international community attention as it could be a devastation if the warheads targeted one region or place in the globe. To deal with North Korea, Russia has been taking some measures in order to stop North Korea from testing its weapons. For instance, Russia has put economic sanctions on North Korea when the country launched the latest ballistic missile test in early February 2017 by banning the sale of helicopters and ships. Russia also supported UNSCR on condemning North Korea; We have taken actions including the closing of subsidiary organizations, branches and representative offices of North Korean banks, joint ventures with the participation of North Korean banks, and the prohibition of equity participation in the ownership or correspondent relations with North Korean banks. Russia also considered banning imports from North Korea such as coal, iron, iron ore, gold, titanium and vanadium ore as well as rare-earth minerals. However, these sanctions were proven to be ineffective since testing has been still being conducted. Furthermore, the on-going issues of North Korea nuclear program has been still on track as there have been contradictions and complications in the relation of North Korea and Russia on economic interests. Also, the United Nations Security Council Resolutions could not effectively force North Korea to stop from its ambition of advancing nuclear weapons. Therefore, we propose measures that could make North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.

Russia is looking forward to further discussion and cooperation for collective actions to address the North Korean nuclear program issues. It is necessary for each member states to cooperate with each other to discuss about any peaceful activities or solutions relevant to the act. The solution should reflect the issues of North Korean nuclear program and minimize any negative impacts to the people. Moreover, Russia would like to propose the Article 41 of the United Nations, which gives the Security Council the power to decide what nonmilitary measures to use or to use economic sanctions in response to the threats to the global peace and security. Likewise, we would also like to raise the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2270, which we believe it would protect the vessels from getting near to the territory of Democratic People's Republic of Korea and prevent the sale or supply of aviation fuel to Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Russia is willing to work collaboratively to solve this global issue and we are aware that Russia cannot do alone successfully but with all enthusiastic participation from all member states.

***This article is published here in the purpose of sharing the format of the position paper. We are aware that there are many rooms to improve for this paper.