Top UN officials laud adoption of resolution promoting inter-Korean peace

Top United Nations officials today hailed the General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution encouraging the consolidation of peace on the Korean peninsula and the laying of groundwork for reunification.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Assembly President Srgjan Kerim appealed to Member States to continue their support of the dialogue between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), following the Declaration this month by the two countries to bolster cooperation.

Welcoming the resolution, Mr. Ban noted that today is especially “auspicious” because exactly seven years ago, the Assembly passed a resolution following the historic June 2000 summit between the two Korean Peninsula nations.

“Today, as Secretary-General, I feel a much more personal obligation to do all I can to encourage and facilitate the continuing work for peace, security and reunification on the Korean Peninsula,” he said.

This month’s Declaration “will pave the way for a permanent peace regime and eventual reunification,” he added.

Mr. Ban also expressed hope that the October Declaration will serve as a catalyst for progress in the six-party talks – involving the DPRK, China, Japan, ROK, Russia and the United States – on achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

The Assembly resolution “is also a clear recognition of the efforts of the people and leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to pursue through dialogue and peaceful means reconciliation between their two countries,” Mr. Kerim said.

He also voiced optimism that the inter-Korean peace process will contribute to peace and security, not just on the Peninsula, but in the region and beyond.