North Korea

Fact Sheet

“Russia expresses serious concern over these actions, which run counter to the expectations of the global community and its efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region and could complicate even further the resolution of the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula." Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation following the launch of missiles by North Korea.

Context

• Russia has been deeply involved in the efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. Russia, which borders North Korea, has been an active player in the six-party talks aimed at bringing all parties together for a long-term solution.
• Russia believes negotiations are the only way to eliminate tensions between the DPRK (North Korea) and other countries and to resolve the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula. As a basis for meaningful discussions, North Korea must return to a nuclear non-proliferation regime while threats against North Korea must be eliminated.
• Russia has repeatedly reaffirmed its position in favour of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. President Putin has said that: “Our position on this issue is steadfast and unchangeable.”
• The international community must be cognisant of the security concerns of the North Korean government. North Korea has been for many years seeking guarantees of security.

The missile launch

• Russia has expressed concern over the missile launch. Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President Putin himself have said the tests run counter to the expectations of the global community and could further complicate the resolution of the nuclear problems on the Korean peninsula.
• Russia has called on North Korea to resume its seven-year moratorium on missile launches. North Korea had suspended any missile launches since 1999. The Foreign Ministry said that North Korea should show restraint and abide by the obligations it has assumed in the missile sphere.
• Russia has also called on North Korea to return to the six-party talks aimed at ending the current stalemate. These negotiations group together the United States, North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia. All five parties aside from North Korea have stated that they are ready for the talks to resume, and Russia strongly urges North Korea to now say that it is also willing to resume the talks.

Next steps

• Russia believes the U.N. Security Council must firmly but calmly assess the situation before taking any actions. “The reaction should be well-calculated and aimed at resuming the talks. There is no other way,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. President Putin said: “These developments should not lead to such emotions that would drown out common sense. We have to review the issue in all its entirety.”
• Sanctions against North Korea would be counterproductive to the larger goals of resolving the nuclear situation on the Korean peninsula. Russia believes that we must avoid making threats that will only serve to provoke threats in response. “We should not deliberately provoke the North Koreans into breaking off talks. We are engaged in dialogue with the North Koreans, after all, through the negotiations conducted by the six countries”, President Putin said.