Pakistan urges dialogue to lower tensions on Korean peninsula

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Voicing concern over North Korea’s latest launch of a ballistic missile, Pakistan has called for diplomatic engagement and dialogue to address the challenges confronting the Korean Peninsula.

“We strongly support the calls for revival of talks among the relevant parties,” Ambassador Munir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council which met two days after North Korea fired off what Pyongyang described as a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM) loaded with a hypersonic glide vehicle.

Ambassador Akram called these developments detrimental to regional and international peace and security.

Pakistan, he said, supported the objective of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the goals of global non-proliferation and disarmament.

“Provocations such as missile tests on the one hand – and coercive actions and threats on the other – must be ended,” the Pakistani envoy said.

“Pakistan opposes any further nuclear weapons testing in Korea or elsewhere.”

In this regard, Ambassador Akram called on all parties to exercise restraint and not escalate existing tensions, urging the Security Council to consider adopting some Confidence Building Measures by the parties in order to reduce tensions.

Pakistan, he added, remains committed to working within the framework established by the United Nations resolutions to promote peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.

“We hope that the Security Council will find ways of reviving the dialogue and playing its due role in reducing tensions and threats to peace and security in the region.