S. Africa urges DPRK to adhere to UN Security Council-mandated obligations

South Africa on Thursday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to adhere fully to its Security Council-mandated obligations, to return to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and to fulfil its safeguards obligations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

South Africa shares the concerns of the international community regarding the nuclear weapon- and delivery system-related activities of the DPRK, the country's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement.

The South African government has noted with serious concern the reported nuclear weapons test conducted by the DPRK earlier this month, DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.

This follows the nuclear weapons test conducted by the DPRK on Jan. 6, 2016 and subsequent missile launches in flagrant violation of the DPRK's obligations under various UN Security Council resolutions.

South Africa supports a negotiated solution that addresses the issues of the Korean Peninsula in a holistic manner, and urges the DPRK to fulfil its commitments under the Six-Party Talks with a view to achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner, Monyela said.

"We strongly urge the DPRK and all states involved to refrain from any further acts of provocation which may undermine the pursuit of such a negotiated solution or that could further increase tensions in the North East Asian region and beyond," he said.

The latest event reinforces South Africa's conviction that nuclear weapons continue to constitute a grave threat to international peace and security, said the spokesperson.

"We join the vast majority of UN Member States and the UN Secretary-General in calling for urgent action to eradicate all nuclear weapons, once and for all," said Monyela. Endit