South Korea-EU joint statement: Security Council members must fully implement resolutions on North Korea

On May 22nd, South Korea and the European Union (EU) said, "We will urge all UN member states, especially the members of the Security Council, to fully implement all Security Council resolutions concerning North Korea and to urge North Korea to resume meaningful dialogue. We call on North Korea to unite and take decisive action against its illegal weapons program."

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, European Council President Charles Michel (EU President), and President Ursula von der Leyen held the "Korea-EU Summit Meeting" at the Presidential Office in Seoul this afternoon. and adopted a joint statement for the first time in eight years.

"We stress that the avenue for dialogue is open, and urge North Korea to immediately cease all actions that increase military tensions and return to denuclearization dialogue," both sides said.

Both sides continued to express their grave concerns over human rights violations and human rights violations in North Korea, stating that "the use of financial resources to support North Korea's illegal weapons program undermines the humanitarian situation of the North Korean people."

"We reaffirmed that human rights are an essential element in building sustainable peace and security on the Korean Peninsula," said the two sides. "The two sides agreed to strengthen policy consultations and cooperation within the UN human rights institutions to guide respect and realization of human rights."

South Korea-EU also firmly condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, stating, "Russia must cease aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all military forces from all internationally recognized territories of Ukraine."

"We agree to continue to strengthen our joint pressure on Russia, particularly through the effective implementation of our respective restrictive measures," they added, "We are committed to assisting Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, and will continue to support Ukraine for the necessary period of time. We have decided to continue to support them."

In addition, the two sides reaffirmed their support for the freedom of overflight and navigation in the region, including the South China Sea, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific."

In addition, South Korea and the EU agreed to establish a "Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue" to strengthen their security partnership and strengthen cooperation on world peace and security.