Brussels/Seoul, South Korea, 21 September 2017 - Amid escalating international tension over North Korea’s missile programme, a delegation from the Defence and Security Committee at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly visited Seoul and the DMZ from 11-14 September. The parliamentary mission signaled strong solidarity between NATO member state parliamentarians and their peers in the Republic of Korea (ROK). “Your presence in Korea today demonstrates the resolve and support of the international community for the Republic of Korea during this time of heightened tensions” Sye Kyun Chung, Speaker of the ROK National Assembly, told the delegation.
Delegation leader Xavier Pintat (France) told his Korean parliamentary interlocutors that “focused and earnest diplomatic efforts are the only way to resolve the growing antagonisms over Pyongyang’s recent provocations.” In a speech to the Defence Committee of the Korean National Assembly, Pintat noted: “We believe strongly in the continued relevance of the Non-proliferation Treaty and the commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.”
NATO PA President, Paolo Alli (Italy) indicated that a diplomatic and peaceful resolution of the current regional and international standoff over the North Korean missile programme was essential. His participation in the visit underscored the importance of peace and security on the Korean peninsula to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. President Alli said: “The NATO Parliamentary Assembly works on the principles of transparency and dialogue; we are in Korea not only to understand the current dilemma on the Korean peninsula firsthand, but also to encourage new international diplomatic initiatives to resolve the current crisis.”
In remarks to Mr. Chung, President Alli stressed that in today’s complex international security environment, security on the Korea peninsula has a strong impact on NATO alliance security as well. “It is important we all understand this and work together to find a way forward to promote peace and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region.”
The pace of North Korea’s testing of new missile systems as well as a recent powerful subterranean nuclear test has unleashed a flurry of diplomatic activity and defensive measures across the globe and region. In 2017 North Korea has already conducted 15 missile tests and detonated one nuclear device underground. The impact of the escalation on the Korean Peninsula has global implications and has moved to the top of the U.N.’s agenda in recent days.
The delegation from the Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities (DSCFC) consisted of 16 parliamentarians from 12 different NATO member states. The parliamentarians met with interlocutors from the ROK Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, ROK National Assembly Committees, officials from United States Forces-Korea, as well as local embassies, think tanks, and leaders of Korea’s defence industry.
A detailed report of the DSCFC mission to South Korea will be published on the Defence and Security Committee page of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s website.