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Statement by Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Sergíy Kyslytsya at the UN Security Council meeting on the DPRK (18 December 2024)

Madam President,

I would like to thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and Mr. Jonah Leff, Executive Director of Conflict Armament Research, for their briefings.

The direct involvement of DPRK troops in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is now a matter of fact.

Starting at least from December 14, numerous evidence, including video footage captured by Ukrainian drones, confirm the participation of North Korean soldiers in assaults on Ukrainian positions.

The Russian forces have integrated these DPRK units into joint formations, employing them in operations against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.

As seen in the video footage, North Korean troops utilize specific tactics. They primarily advance in large numbers on foot across open terrain, and in extended chains. This approach bears a striking resemblance to infantry tactics employed during World War II but is highly unusual for the Russian – Ukrainian war.

Another notable feature is their lack of awareness regarding such modern weaponry as UAVs. Available video evidence reveals that North Korean soldiers seem unprepared to respond to drone attacks and lack even the basic understanding of measures to counter drone-related threats.

They have already suffered noticeable losses. As of 14 December, the estimated losses of units composed of Russian and North Korean personnel amounted to about a few hundred servicemen.

Against this backdrop, the DPRK continues to supply weapons and ammunition to Russia. In particular, since December 2023, the DPRK has transferred over 20,000 containers of munitions and military equipment, as well as over 100 ballistic missiles to Russia, used by Moscow against Ukraine.

The most recent case was registered last Friday, when Russia used a DPRK missile in its massive strike against Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. The delegation of Ukraine informed the Security Council of this strike at the meeting on Monday.

It should be stressed that through these arms transfers Russia and the DPRK are flagrantly violating the UN arms embargo on the DPRK envisaged by resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2270. Moreover, Russia’s training of DPRK troops also violates the above resolutions.

I wish to reiterate that neither Russia, nor the DPRK would be able to produce missiles to the current amount if components manufactured by third countries were not available to Moscow and Pyongyang through various loopholes in sanctions regimes.

Russia also uses the existing loopholes to provide its own military assistance to the DPRK, including sensitive technologies.

No doubt, the components from third countries and military technologies from Russia, which likely include advanced ICBM technology, contribute significantly to the development of the DPRK nuclear and ballistic missile programs, including ICBMs.

There are about 7,000 km from the DPRK to Ukraine. I do not need to remind the range of ICBMs and what countries are also within this range. 

These steps by Moscow and Pyongyang undermine international efforts aimed at achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. 

It clearly illustrates that the issue of Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula are not, are clearly not different issues. The actions of Moscow and Pyongyang have made them interconnected.

In this regard, we commend recent decisions by our partners to strengthen sanctions against Russia and the DPRK and call for further decisive measures on the matter.

Due to Russia's expansion of the war against Ukraine, security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are now directly linked. Putin wants to create more problems for the world in Asia. This is why the Russians are training North Korea in modern warfare. The actual involvement of North Korea in hostilities should be met with tangible pressure on both Moscow and Pyongyang for the sake of compliance with the UN Charter and punishment for escalation.

Thank you.