North Korea, 1993

On behalf of the delegation of the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea, I should like, first of all, to

congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of

the General Assembly for the current session. It is our hope

that your efforts will crown the session with success.

The common task facing the international community

today is to build a new, independent, peaceful and

prosperous world. Our planet’s people have an identical

aspiration: to build a new and independent world, free from

all forms of domination and subjugation, aggression and war.

All countries and nations should have unrestricted freedom

to choose and develop their own political, economic and

social systems on the basis of their sovereign rights,

including the right to self-determination.

Independence is the life and soul of each country and

nation, and the common right of mankind. A steadfast

commitment to independence enables each country to

safeguard its national dignity and rights, to maintain and

consolidate international relationships on a sound basis, to

bring about genuine democratization of international society

and, furthermore, to help to accelerate the creation of an

independent world. The absence of independence will lead

to failure to safeguard national sovereignty and dignity or to

secure a country’s prosperity and well-being.

It is an ineluctable fact that where independence is

violated, there will be domination, subordination, subjugation

and inequality. We draw this lesson for mankind from the

5,000-year history of the Korean nation, and it applies to the

present tumultuous era, with the twenty-first century just

round the corner.

The developments and events of recent years in the

international arena serve to demonstrate clearly once again

the correctness of the independent lines and policies of our

Republic. We regard independence as our life and soul. It

is the cornerstone of the internal and external policies and

approaches of our Republic. It is our people’s strong

commitment to independence and their principled position

that have enabled our country to advance along the road of

Socialism. They have chosen this road themselves, under

the banner of the Juche idea, without any confusion or twists

and turns, without any upheaval or instability.

Our Republic has steadily consolidated and developed

its foreign relations and has contributed to the common

cause of mankind. We derive great satisfaction and pride

from the fact that we have stood fast on the independent

position that we took up. Our stand is one of principle and

consistency: we are not at anyone’s beck and call, nor do

we dance to anyone else’s tune. In addition, we have

always maintained an independent position in our efforts to

achieve peace and peaceful reunification of the country.

12 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

National reunification is a cause to realize the

independence of our nation, while the principle of national

independence is the inalienable fundamental principle of

reunification. Great national unity is part and parcel of the

process of the independent and peaceful reunification of the

country. Great national unity is a fundamental prerequisite

to, and an essential factor in, the country’s independent and

peaceful reunification.

Therefore the Government of the Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea has consistently subordinated everything

to the goal of national reunification through great national

unity incorporating the principle of national independence.

The whole history of the efforts for national reunification

and in particular the prevailing situation teach us that the

Korean people should move towards greater national unity

of the whole nation based on the principle of independence

in order to attain the country’s reunification.

Of course, there still exist differences in ideologies,

ideals and political systems within the nation, but these

differences could be overcome without much difficulty, since

our nation has its own intrinsic common identity that has

been shaped and consolidated through the time-honoured

history of 5,000 years. Our nation remains closely knit

together by kinship as a homogeneous people, a unique

entity in the world, and the whole nation, whether in the

north, in the south, or abroad, is united by the common

desire for national reunification.

Members of the Korean nation should not be viewed

differently based on whether they live in the north, south or

abroad, nor should distance be put between Korean nationals

just in order to curry favour with foreign forces. We can no

longer engage in antagonism and confrontation at the

sacrifice of our great cause.

The inter-Korean dialogue has made such epoch-making

progress that the Agreement on Reconciliation,

Non-Aggression, and Cooperation and Exchanges and the

Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean

Peninsula were adopted and effectuated in our country. This

is intended to serve our nation’s effort to end the antagonism

and confrontation and promote reconciliation and unity and

break down the wall of division to pave the way for

reunification.

Our nation is unanimous in its desire and aspiration to

achieve unity, transcending all differences, and to make a

tangible contribution to the country’s reunification and the

prosperity of the reunified country.

The respected leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, President

of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, has

personally authored and published the "Ten-Point

Programme of Great Unity of the Whole Nation for

Reunification of the Country" reflecting the desire and will

of our nation to terminate the history of division and

confrontation and reunify the country.

This historic programme provides clarification on how

to establish a confederal State through the application of the

three principles of independence, peace and great national

unity, without any bias against either the north or south, on

the basis of coexistence and the equal representation of the

two regional governments. The confederal State would be

independent, peaceful, non-aligned and neutral, maintaining

a balanced posture towards the major Powers. It also

envisions the protection of private or corporate capital and

assets, and joint stock interests with foreign capital before

and after reunification. The Ten-Point Programme of Great

Unity of the Whole Nation for Reunification of the Country,

which aims to bring about the country’s reunification on the

principle of the spirit of national independence, is a charter

of national unity and reunification which reflects most

comprehensively the will and the aspirations of the Korean

nation and takes into full consideration the current

international situation. It calls not only on the supporters of

reunification but also on those who have feared or remained

onlookers to reunification to take a stand for the cause of

national unity and reunification. The programme also opens

up positive prospects for achieving the historical cause of the

country’s reunification within the 1990s. Although obstacles

and difficulties still stand in the way of reunification, the

entire Korean people will definitely achieve national

reunification in great unity, by displaying patriotism and the

spirit of national independence.

At present, the relaxation of tension and establishment

of peace on the Korean peninsula presents itself as an urgent

issue, the solution of which allows for no further delay.

With a view to easing tension and achieving a durable

peace on the Korean peninsula, the Korean Armistice

Agreement should, inter alia, be replaced with a peace

agreement. In reality, the Korean Armistice Agreement has

already become outdated and the armistice mechanism

remains in fact paralysed. The continuance in place of the

out-of-date armistice arrangements is primarily responsible

for a series of complicated and sensitive issues, including the

nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula - issues still remaining

to be resolved.

Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 13

The fact that the state of cease-fire and the armistice

arrangements of the 1950s remain unchanged even after 40

years is in itself abnormal. It is thanks to the peace-loving

policy and the will of the Government of the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea that peace and security have

been maintained so far on the Korean peninsula. Only the

replacement of the Korean Armistice Agreement with a

peace agreement will lead to a full and satisfactory

resolution of all the issues, including the nuclear issue, will

remove hostility in inter-Korean relations and will work in

favour of peace in Korea and its peaceful reunification.

Such being the case, if the United Nations continues

losing sight of the fundamental issues related to peace on the

Korean peninsula and instead preoccupies itself with non-

essential issues, it will only throw obstacles in the way of a

solution of the Korean question. The United Nations should

direct its primary attention to the replacement of the Korean

Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement, and play its

due role in terminating the armistice system and establishing

a new peace arrangement.

We believe this is the right time for the United Nations

to make an innovative decision to dissolve the United

Nations Forces Command in south Korea and to replace the

Korean Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement in

accordance with resolution 3390 (XXX) B adopted by the

thirtieth session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In this connection we maintain that negotiations among the

parties concerned should begin at the earliest possible time

to work out a new peace arrangement that will replace the

present armistice system.

The denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is another

essential factor in building a durable peace and security

there.

The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic

of Korea remains committed to its consistent position of

turning the Korean peninsula into a nuclear-free, peace zone.

As we have made clear more than once, we have no nuclear

weapons; we have neither the intention nor the need to

develop these weapons, nor the financial resources to support

their production. We would not object to inspection of our

nuclear facilities, but only when impartiality is fully

guaranteed.

As shown by the Democratic People’s Republic of

Korea-United States of America talks, the nuclear issue on

the Korean peninsula is a political issue to be resolved

between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the

United States of America. It is to be recalled that here in

New York last June the Democratic People’s Republic of

Korea and the United States of America issued a joint

statement containing their policy commitments related to a

fundamental resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean

peninsula.

The joint statement clarifies, in unambiguous terms,

principles of assurances against the threat and use of force

including nuclear weapons; peace and security in a

nuclear-free Korean peninsula, including impartial

application of full-scope safeguards, mutual respect for each

other’s sovereignty, and non-interference in each other’s

internal affairs; and support for the peaceful reunification of

Korea.

At the second round of talks in Geneva, the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea delegation put forward a

proposal on replacing its existing graphite-moderated

reactors and associated nuclear facilities with light-water

moderated reactors, thus demonstrating with more clarity the

transparency and integrity of its non-nuclear policy.

If all the commitments the Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea and the United States of America have

agreed upon are translated into practice - including

assurances against the threat and use of force, including

nuclear weapons, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy

through light-water moderated reactors, plus the negative

security assurances - then the prospects will open up for a

fundamental and final resolution of the nuclear issue on the

Korean peninsula and the basis for the improvement of

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - United States of

America relations will be laid down. Furthermore,

epoch-making progress will be made in reducing tensions on

the Korean peninsula and in ensuring peace and security in

Asia and the rest of the world.

Initial and meaningful progress in the efforts to resolve

the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula is the outcome of

the negotiations by the responsible parties. This vividly

proves that the only way to resolve the nuclear issue on the

Korean peninsula lies in dialogue and negotiations.

However, we regret to note that a certain amount of

pressure has been renewed by those forces that still remain

obsessed with an outdated way of thinking at the time when

the talks between the Democratic People’s Republic of

Korea and the United States of America aimed at resolving

the nuclear issue are under way and consultations between

our country and the International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA) have been conducted.

14 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

The so-called resolution on our "nuclear issue" was

adopted at the thirty-seventh session of the General

Conference of the IAEA, which was held some time ago.

This act cannot but be viewed as the product of political

conspiracy to impede, by all means, the solution of nuclear

issues through negotiations and to stifle our Republic.

We regard the adoption of the "resolution" itself at the

General Conference of the IAEA as a wanton violation of

our Republic’s sovereignty and part of sinister political

offensive aimed at forcing international pressure upon us.

The whole process of the General Conference of the

IAEA held recently has eloquently shown that the measures

taken in the past by the secretariat and Board of Governors

were unjustifiable, and, accordingly, the agency has lost

face and integrity in the process of solving the "nuclear

issue".

The "nuclear issue" of the Korean peninsula can be

resolved only through talks between the Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea and the United States of America, either

in the light of its political character or its origin.

Accordingly, two rounds of such talks have been held so far,

which is well known to the world. This notwithstanding, it

is absurd that the Japanese Prime Minister and the South

Korean Foreign Minister picked a quarrel with us in this

august Assembly a few days ago, clamouring about

"implementing the safeguards agreement" and "international

concern about development of nuclear weapons". Japan

should not mention the fictitious "development of nuclear

weapons", but should give up its attempt to become a

military Power and to realize its aim of nuclear armament,

which it is accelerating under this pretext.

The south Korean authorities should discontinue

nuclear-war exercises with foreign forces against fellow

countrymen and should not pursue so-called international

mutual assistance systems either.

Our country, as a member of international society, will

implement its commitment to the just and early solution of

the nuclear issue.

I hope that all the States Members of the United

Nations will lend encouragement to the Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea’s position in favour of a negotiated

resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and

fully cooperate in taking practical measures to help

implement the points agreed upon at the talks between the

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United

States of America.

The peace-loving position of the Government of the

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to turn the Korean

peninsula into a nuclear-free peace zone remains unchanged,

and we shall continue our sincere efforts in the future, too,

to remove the nuclear threat fundamentally and resolve the

nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.

Today the world situation and international relations

call for an early liquidation of the legacies of the cold-war

era that have been negated by history and the prevention of

all sorts of attempts to reverse the forward movement of

history.

Universal disarmament and the abolition world wide of

nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction are

most urgent in eliminating the residue of the cold-war era

and attaining peace and security in the world. Everything

that threatens the survival of mankind and the devastation of

society’s treasures should be abolished.

The recent moratorium on nuclear testing introduced by

certain nuclear-weapon States can be called a step forward,

in the light of the fact that nuclear testing itself is the most

dangerous nuclear arms race among the nuclear Powers and

a major source of nuclear proliferation. It is our view that,

along with the permanent ban on nuclear testing, epoch--

making steps should be taken to destroy a colossal number

of the nuclear weapons accumulated on the globe and all

sorts of nuclear weapons deployed in other countries. In

particular, nuclear weapons deployed on the Korean

peninsula and its surrounding regions should be dismantled.

Without this solution, any talk about international nuclear

non-proliferation and world-wide nuclear disarmament is

senseless.

The existence of military blocs and the presence of

foreign military bases and troops in other countries are the

products of cold-war policy and are permanent factors

threatening world peace and security. Now that the old

structure of the cold war has collapsed, there is no

justification whatsoever for the existence of the military

blocs and their means for waging wars of aggression. The

military blocs established under the pretext of the so-called

balance of forces during the cold-war era should be

dissolved. Furthermore, the presence of foreign military

bases and troops in other countries is a violation of the

sovereignty and territorial integrity of those nations. This

runs counter to the trend towards independence of the

present era. We demand the closing of all foreign military

bases in various parts of the world and the unconditional

withdrawal of foreign troops therefrom.

Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 15

The peaceful settlement of disputes between countries

and nations is one of the important issues in safeguarding

world peace and security at present. In different parts of the

world we are now witnessing the trampling underfoot of

national sovereignty and the escalation of regional, religious

and ethnic disputes into full-fledged wars. This has been

disturbing peace and security in some regions, and some

countries are suffering from severe disasters. Disputes

between countries should be resolved through negotiations

between the parties concerned in order to meet their mutual

interests and serve the cause of world peace.

As long as the structure of the existing inequitable

international economic order remains the same, it is

impossible to eliminate the ever-widening gap between rich

and poor, between the developed and the developing

countries and save the developing nations from poverty,

disease and disasters. The developed countries must accept

responsibility for this and refrain from any actions

detrimental to the economic development of the developing

countries. This was specifically highlighted in the resolution

and recommendations adopted by the Tenth Conference of

Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned

Countries. Constructive measures should be taken to resume

dialogue between the developed and developing countries,

reform the inequitable international economic order and

establish a new, equitable international economic order.

Along with this, the developing countries should adopt

practical measures to realize South-South cooperation,

starting from such priority fields as food, agriculture, public

health and so on, in an effort to overcome their economic

poverty and establish a South-South economic order.

The historic tasks and responsibilities the United

Nations has assumed before mankind are growing heavier

with each passing day, and the world watches the role of the

United Nations and its activities. The United Nations should

be democratized to meet the requirements of the present

situation and the aspirations of its Member States, according

to the principles of independence, equality and impartiality.

The important point here is that all Member States

should be left to fully exercise their sovereignty, regardless

of differences in size of population or territory, whether

strong or weak, rich or poor. All countries and nations are

equal members in international society and are entitled to

equal rights.

In the world there are big and small countries, but there

cannot be senior or junior countries; there are developed and

less developed nations, but there cannot be dominating

nations and nations destined to be dominated by others.

We stand against any privileges being given to any

particular nation in international relations. We call for

universal adherence to the principles of mutual respect and

non-interference in the internal affairs of others, for equality

and mutual benefits, and for friendship and cooperation

among all the countries to be based on these principles.

In the international arena today, some forces are

resorting to anachronistic actions; in violation of impartiality

and international justice, these forces connive at actions on

the part of certain countries that violate international norms

on a number of issues, including the nuclear issue, the

human rights situation and terrorism, while pretending to be

ignorant of them. At the same time, they accuse those

countries that disobey them of a "nuclear threat", of "human

rights violations" and of "State-sponsored terrorism",

imposing unacceptable pressure on them.

Unjustifiable and unreasonable actions by a few

countries that resort to strong-arm tactics and high-handed

behaviour while interfering in the internal affairs of others

and applying a double standard to the practice of

international relations must no longer be tolerated.

The United Nations should undergo restructuring and

improvement. Such important measures are needed to meet

more effectively the changed reality and new challenges.

Primary attention should be paid to reviewing and

readjusting the composition of the permanent membership of

the United Nations Security Council. As the non-aligned

and other developing countries form a majority of the United

Nations membership, they should exercise their voice on an

equivalent basis and should not be denied the opportunity to

take part in the process of resolving major international

issues. We hold that the third world countries should, as a

matter of course, be included in the permanent membership

of the United Nations Security Council, in proportion to the

numbers of their members in the Organization.

At present, Japan is launching a public relations

campaign to gain a seat as a permanent member of the

Security Council. But Japan is not assuming its due

responsibility for the acts of aggression and war crimes

committed during the Second World War and has so far

failed to make a clean slate of its past. Therefore, it is not

16 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

reasonable to talk about its qualification for permanent

membership.

Only when the United Nations measures up to its own

responsibilities and role on an unprejudiced basis can it take

its rightful place as the international Organization that serves

international justice and champions world peace; only then

will it be able to meet the expectations of its Member States.

The destiny of each country and nation is closely

interlinked with the common destiny of mankind.

The world’s people advocating independence should

work together in unity to consolidate their respective national

independence, to further their countries’ independent

development, and to contribute actively to a stronger world

peace and security.

We fully support the Cambodian people in their efforts

to promote national reconciliation, unity and rehabilitation,

as we do the peoples of the member States of the

Association of South-East Asian Nations in their endeavours

to establish a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality in

South-East Asia, and we support other Asian people in their

struggle to build a new, independent, peaceful and

prosperous Asia.

We would like to express our firm solidarity with the

Palestinian and all the other Arab peoples who are engaged

in efforts towards a fair and lasting solution of the Middle

East question, including the Palestinian question; to the

entire African people in their struggle to overcome

socio-economic difficulties and achieve the independent

development of their countries; to the Cuban people in their

struggle to defend the country’s sovereignty and dignity and

the gains of socialism; and to the Latin American peoples in

their efforts towards peace and prosperity.

The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic

of Korea and the Korean people will offer active support and

firm solidarity to the people of all countries throughout the

world who are struggling to oppose all sorts of domination

and subjugation, to build a new society and to promote the

common cause of mankind.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is guided

by its consistent ideals of independence, peace and

friendship in international relations, and these ideals coincide

with the ideals of international society.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will

continue to hold fast to independence, to further strengthen

contacts and cooperation with United Nations Member

States, and to remain faithful to the common cause of

mankind for global independence.

The delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of

Korea wishes, in conclusion, to express its hope that at its

current session the General Assembly will have a successful

discussion of all the agenda items placed before it at this

session through the concerted efforts of all the

representatives of the various countries, thus contributing to

building a new, free and peaceful world.