Security Council. a. W Topic A: The Northern Triangle Topic B: Maintaining Stability on the Korean Peninsula Background Paper
Committee : United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Topic B : Maintaining stability in the Korean Peninsula Director : Andrés Alanís Marcos Moderator : Angela Paulina Adame Torres I. Committee Background The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was formed at the same time as the United Nations; it was formed after World War II on October 24, 1945. The UN Charter includes six main organs of the United Nations, in those, the Security Council. The Security Council is to meet whenever amity or peace are jeopardized. The UNSC held its first session on January 17, 1946 at Church House, Westminster, London. It has a fundamental responsibility to preserve global peace, security and four main purposes: to protect international peace and safeguard, to flourish amiable associations in between countries, to help in solving international problems and boost respect for human rights and to be a source for making the actions of nations peaceful. Whenever security or peace is being threatened, a session is called in and a immediate response is in place. The objective of these sessions is to reach solutions through peaceful ways. Decisions made in these meetings are to be carried out and accepted by all United Nations members. Due to this, the Security Council has the power to impose sanctions, recommend methods for and adjusting and investigating any situation that can lead to international discrepancy. In the highest capability, the council can summon members the authorization of deploying or using force in order to maintain peace and stop potential situations. However, to establish this functions some subsidiary bodies are needed. The subsidiary organs can range from procedural matters to substantive issues like peacekeeping operation and sanctions regimes. Furthermore, the appointments of Secretary General and admission of new members are recommended by the Security Council. Subsequently, the Security Council and General Assembly elect the judges for the International Criminal Court of Justice. II. Introduction and Description Throughout history the Korean Peninsula has been a region were tensions have been high. Most recently the North Korean regime started developing their nuclear program, newly raising tensions in the region. The regime has been making various threats to countries,making the world angry and scared. As North Korea continues to develop their nuclear weapons the fear grows bigger. The United States of America has become one the biggest players in the issue, claiming it will destroy North Korea if they launch their weapons against them. The issue has become a focus of international security and should be solved as quickly as possible as it is a concern for the international community and its security.
III. History of Topic Since 1948 Korea has been divided into parts which are South Korea and North Korea. Through history the Korean peninsula has been the center of Eastern Asia, being surrounded by nations such as Russia, Japan and China. At the end of the Korean War both nations signed the Panmunjom peace treaty that would leave the country in its divided status. Since then both nations have been in a state of a ceasefire. However, recently the region has been witness to rising tensions. This is mainly because China, a superpower, has been actively supporting the missile and nuclear weapons program the North Korean regime is currently developing. These programs do not only affect South Korea, but also the strategic interests of Japan in the region. North Korea s nuclear program remains a source of deep concern to the international community. Despite multiple efforts to curtail it, North Korea says they have conducted five nuclear tests. it has been said those test were conducted in : 2006, 2009, 2013 and in January and September of 2016. It has been claimed that China and the former USSR have been actively helping North Korea in pursuing their nuclear weapon program. September 2016 test has seen used a device with an explosive yield of between 10 and kilotons, making the strongest test yet. The two types of intercontinental ballistic missile North Korea has been seen to have are the KN-08 and KN-14, but are yet to be tested. The North Korean regime is still a great threat to western powers, especially the United States. Neighboring countries such as Japan, South Korea and China are currently feeling the effects of the nuclear testing. For example, an earthquake of 3.8 was felt in the Peninsula because of one of the bombs thrown by the regime made that effect. Their increased development has given them the reputation of the most dangerous country to the world. Overall the situation in North Korea is a worldwide threat that we should address. IV. Study Cases Vietnam : Vietnam has been pretty critical in the development of the North Korean issue. Vietnam praised the US position on the issue, but to some consent because Vietnam has always been a strategic partner to North Korea being a good trade partner and having good diplomatic relationships with them. However, they see this as an opportunity to get military support from the United States as could serve as a mediator between both countries. India : India has been clearly against the tests the North Korean regime takes out. They believe that the regime is acting badly and should support the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Recently the Ministry of External Affairs said It is a matter of deep concern that DPRK (Democratic
People's Republic of Korea) has once again acted in violation of its international commitments which goes against the objective of the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula, which has been endorsed by DPRK itself. United States of America : USA has been highly critical of the nuclear tests conducted by DPRK. President Donald Trump has claimed he will totally destroy the country if North Korea poses a threat to the US. The USA poses a threat to the North Korean because they have great military presence in the area having alliances with countries such as : South Korea, China and Japan. Russia : Russia is fully aware of the issue in North Korea and has already mobilized army components to be ready in case of the worst. Russia has already held talks with China and India and agree on a position in the issue. China : China has previously had diplomatic relations with the North Koreans; however, they ended as soon as the regime started their nuclear testing. Although China is the biggest trade partner for North Korea their patience is running out as their still developing nuclear and getting bad looks from the international community. Japan : Since the start of the nuclear tests, Japan has been on high alert. Japan claims they have suffered the effects of some tests, claiming there have been earthquakes because of the bombs. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said they have been in high alert and will continue to be until the end of their tests. South Korea : South Korea has provided valuable help to its northern neighbor. Recently South Korea sent humanitarian aid to North Korea believing that they are not a nuclear state. International powers such as Japan have asked South Korea s president Moon Jae-In to reconsider his strategy in dealing with North Korea. Malaysia : Recently Malaysia recalled its diplomatic ambassador from North Korea and issued a travel ban for all its citizens, cutting all diplomatic ties with North Korea. Malaysian Prime Minister Aniyah also confirmed that the possibility of having diplomatic ties with North Korea again will depend on the moves the state takes regarding its nuclear program. Australia : Australia was recently threatened by North Korea for supporting the US, with North Korea claiming Australia will not be able to avoid disaster if they don t stop supporting the US. The minister of foreign affairs said North Korea s threats only strengthen our resolve to find a peaceful solution to the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula caused entirely by North Korea s illegal, threatening and provocative behaviour
V. Actions Taken The United Nations has a treaty called the Non-Proliferation Treaty which establishes that nuclear weapons can't be used for war purposes and only for medical,educational etc. North Korea hasn't joining the treaty yet. Since 2006 the United Nations has been implementing various sanctions to North Korea for its development of their nuclear weapons program. Recently the regime was imposed a ban of textile an oil trading, really harming the country poor economy. Additionally, countries aren t allowed to trade military equipment to the regime and natural resources such as coal,and iron luxury goods. As North Korea continues to develop its nuclear program, the sanctions continue to affect the country overall as North Korea has lost an estimate of $800 million dollars in textile exports and $550 million a year for overseas workers weakening the country's unstable economy. VI. Key Questions 1. Does your country have diplomatic ties with North Korea? 2. How has your country been affected by North Korea s nuclear tests? 3. What has your country done to address the issue? 4. Is your country part of the Non-Profileration Treaty? 5. Have sanctions caused an effect on North Korea? 6. What is country s position on this issue? 7. Does your country support North Korea? VII. Works Cited Denard, Linda Tension in the Korean Peninsula IAS GS, April 30,2017 https://www.iasgs.com/2017/04/tension-korean-peninsula/ Accessed January 24,2018 King, Llewellyn Vietnam wants to be America s Bridge to North Korea The Huffington Post, August 05,2016 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/llewellyn-king/vietnam-wants-to-be-americas_b_11350456.h tml Accesed January 24,2018 Ramani, Samuel Can Vietnam help meditate with North Korea? The Diplomat, September 21, 2016 https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/can-vietnam-help-mediate-with-north-korea/ Accesed January 24,2018 Sanyal, Anindita After North Korea's Big Nuclear Test, A Sharp Response From India NDTV, September 03,2017 https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-says-it-deplores-the-nuclear-test-conducted-by-northkorea-1745533 Accesed January 24,2018 Kirby, Will USA vs North Korea: This is the US military arsenal poised to WIPE OUT Kim's threat Express.co.uk, November 07,2017
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/848824/north-korea-news-president-trump-us-military -navy-air-force-world-war-3-bombers-arsenal Accessed January 24,2018 Chandler, Mark North Korea in 'hot phase': Russia WILL act with China & India to protect Kim - WW3 threat December 12,2017 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/890801/world-war-3-north-korea-russia-china-india -Kim-Jong-un-hot-phase-missiles Accessed January 24,2018 Albert, Eleanor Understanding the China-North Korea Relationship November 26,2017 https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-north-korea-relationship Accessed January 24,2018 Rich, Mokoto North Korea's Threat Pushes Japan to Reassess Its Might and Rights September 15,2017 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/world/asia/japan-north-korea-missile-defense.html Accesed January 24,2018 Chandran, Nyshka South Korea approves $8 million aid for the North even as Kim and Trump trade threats September 22,2017 https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/22/south-koreas-approach-to-north-could-challenge-us-japan.html Accesed January 24,2018 Parameswaran, Prashanth What's Next for Malaysia-North Korea Relations? October 14,2017 https://thediplomat.com/2017/10/whats-next-for-malaysia-north-korea-relations/ Accessed January 24,2018 Remeikis, Amy Australia will 'not be cowed' by North Korea threats, minister says October 14,2017 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/15/australia-will-not-be-cowed-by-north-korea-t hreats-minister-says Accesed January 24,2018