열린장관실

Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the 
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty 
September 24, 2009
New York

Presidents, 
             
              Let me begin by joining other colleagues in congratulating you on your assumption of the Presidency of the 6^th Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. I am confident that under your able guidance we will engage in a constructive discussion. I would also like to extend my delegation’s sincere gratitude to Mr. Tibor Toth, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, and his staff at the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) for their devotion and hard work in preparing for this Conference.

Presidents, 
            
              In 1996, we were all united in our determination to strengthen international peace and security by terminating all types of nuclear test explosions, with a view to ultimately making the world free of nuclear weapons. Without full control over nuclear test explosions, disarmament would be void and nonproliferation impossible. 
            
             For long, we have strived to put the Treaty into force, urging as many states as possible to sign and ratify the Treaty. Although we are getting closer to our goal, we still have a long way to go before making the Treaty fully effective. More than 40 States among UN members have not ratified the Treaty yet, including nine States listed in Annex 2, whose ratification is prerequisite for the entry into force of the Treaty. 

            During the last decade, we have experienced deadlocks in the international disarmament and nonproliferation dialogue. Yet now we can sense a different atmosphere. Constructive initiatives for disarmament and nonproliferation are being put forward such as the “five-point proposal for nuclear disarmament” by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and a vision for “a world free of nuclear weapons” presented by U.S. President Obama.

           Today the leaders of the UN Security Council member states met to engage in discussions on disarmament and nonproliferation, which is a significant event in the history of the UN. Next year, the NPT Review Conference will be held here in New York with heightened expectations for a break-through from a decade-long stalemate. Furthermore, a Nuclear Security Summit has been proposed by the to discuss physical protection and control of nuclear materials and facilities.   

            All this political momentum is building towards early entry into force of the CTBT. We have to seize this opportunity. I would therefore like to join other colleagues in urging those states which have not signed or ratified the Treaty - particularly those remaining nine States listed in Annex 2 - to do so without further delay.

Presidents,

             The Republic of Korea , as an original signatory of the CTBT, has been a strong advocate of a complete nuclear test ban.  

             Since the last meeting of this Conference in 2007, in particular, the Republic of Korea has been actively involved in various CTBTO initiatives to promote the early entry into force of the Treaty. In 2008, hosted the Joint Regional Technical Training Programme and the regional On-Site Inspection Introductory Course. We have been stressing the importance of the early entry into force of the CTBT at every international forum dealing with issues of disarmament and nonproliferation.

             The Korean Government welcomes the progress and achievements so far, in particular the progress in the verification system, which will come into full operation following the entry into force of the Treaty. Almost 83% of the International Monitoring System (IMS) stations envisaged by the Treaty have been installed. In line with this effort, the Korean Seismic Research Station (KSRS) is now fully operating as a primary seismological station, and thereby making a meaningful contribution to the proper functioning of the verification system.

 Presidents,

             Despite our steadfast endeavors to realize a complete nuclear test ban, my delegation is deeply concerned over the nuclear tests conducted by the DPRK in recent years. The tests not only constitute a blatant violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, but also represent a defiant challenge to the international non-proliferation regime. To our great disappointment, the DPRK is the only country in the world that is breaking the moratorium on nuclear testing which lasted more than a decade.

            The DPRK is refusing to participate in the Six-Party Talks which aim to resolve the nuclear issues. Furthermore, in its recent letter to the UN Security Council, the DPRK announced that it has reached the final phase of reprocessing of spent fuel rods and will weaponize the extracted plutonium.

            We would call upon the DPRK to promptly return to the Six-Party Talks process, abandon any further attempt to pursue nuclear programs and join the CTBT as soon as possible.

Presidents,

             Much time and effort will be required to bring the Treaty into force. However, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity proposed by new commitments and initiatives. We believe ultimately our endeavors to translate our original pledges, crafted 13 years ago, into reality will bear fruit. The Republic of Korea will continue to work together with all State Signatories to this end.

                                                                                                                        /End/