‘No military solution’ to peninsula

China’s UN rep: resorting to force would be ‘dead end’ on issue of denuclearization

A senior Chinese envoy said Monday that there is no military solution to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and confrontation is a “dead end”.

“Resorting to force will only bring disastrous consequences to the peninsula,” Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council at its meeting on non-proliferation.

In addition to addressing the legitimate security concerns of related parties and maintaining peace and stability of the peninsula, Ma said it is also key to uphold the goal of denuclearization and solve the issue through dialogue.

Positive changes have taken place on the Korean Peninsula, and the situation is now on the right track of dialogue toward political settlement, Ma said.

While expressing China’s support for dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington on denuclearization, Ma said China wishes to see both the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea achieve a positive outcome to their summit scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday.

The denuclearization of the peninsula and continued defusing of military tension are expected to top the agenda of the summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK’s top leader Kim Jong-un when they meet face-to-face in Pyongyang.

“We hope related parties can work together to consolidate the current positive momentum towards longterm peace and stability of the peninsula,” Ma said, praising efforts by the DPRK on denuclearization.

A significant breakthrough is expected during the next inter-Korean summit in

Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations

Pyongyang, which will help resume stalled negotiations between the US and the DPRK, Cho Tae-yul, ROK ambassador to the UN, said at the meeting.

“No doubt the road ahead will be bumpy,” he said. “We must pursue our shared goal of the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with patience, persistence and, above all, a united stance and solidarity.”

China has fulfilled Security Council resolutions on the DPRK and regularly submitted records of oil exports to that country, he said, emphasizing that violations, if found, will be handled in line with China’s own laws.

The dual-track approach proposed by China, in which the DPRK would suspend its nuclear and ballistic missile programs while the US and the ROK would suspend their joint military exercises, is conducive to solving the peninsula situation, Ma said, adding that related parties should continue to make wise choices.

He urged the Security Council to remain united on achieving peninsula denuclearization and peace and stability, and said China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in that regard.

Rosemary DiCarlo, undersecretary-general for political affairs, briefed the council during the meeting. She noted several positive developments related to the DPRK’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs in recent months, including an immediate halt to nuclear explosive testing and flight tests of certain longer-range ballistic missiles.

US and Russian representatives exchanged accusations over the report of the Panel of Experts (of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006)) on the sanctions imposed on the DPRK.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said Russia, which has agreed to the UN sanctions, violated the UN sanctions on the DPRK, saying the US has evidence.

The final denuclearization of the DPRK is the goal of the entire international community, she said.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia denied the US allegations, saying Russia didn’t exert pressure on the panel of experts. He said that the panel has become “hostage” to Washington.

Negotiations between the DPRK and the US are facing obstacles because one side offers “nothing in return” for its demands, he said, underlining that diplomacy is a two-way street.

We hope related parties can work together to consolidate the current positive momentum.”