South Korea and North Korea Clash Over Denuclearization at UN Security Council Meeting

South Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Cha Ji-hoon, reaffirmed Seoul's commitment to peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization during a Security Council meeting in New York on April 30, 2026. He delivered a speech at the UN headquarters, highlighting proactive steps to reduce tensions and build trust with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, known as the DPRK.

Yonhap reported that the meeting marked two years since a UN expert panel monitoring sanctions on North Korea was disbanded following Russia's veto of a resolution to extend its mandate.

Ambassador Cha stated that since the inauguration of the Lee Jae Myung administration last year, the Republic of Korea has pursued a vision of a peaceful Korean Peninsula built on reconciliation and cooperation rather than hostility and confrontation. He added that the Republic of Korea remains committed to respecting the DPRK system, pursuing neither hostility nor unification by absorption.

In his remarks, Cha pointed out that the international community reaffirmed at the NPT review conference that the DPRK cannot have the status of a nuclear weapons state in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, or NPT. He said the permanent members of the Security Council bear a special responsibility under the NPT.

The Republic of Korea called on permanent members of the Security Council to faithfully uphold the NPT in regards to the DPRK nuclear issue.

Ambassador Cha explained that Seoul pursues a pragmatic and phased approach to address North Korea's nuclear issue in recognition of current realities. He described pursuing step-by-step progress toward denuclearization that begins with stopping DPRK nuclear and missile programs through dialogue and negotiation, followed by reduction and complete dismantlement.