North Korean nuclear issue to be 'hot' issue at UN General Assembly session

The North Korean nuclear issue is expected to be the hottest topic at this session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The situation on the Korean peninsula has heated up with North Korea's recent sixth nuclear test. Despite the UN Security Council passing a new resolution increasing pressure on North Korea, it has not changed the country's stance on continuing missile tests.

A North Korean missile launch. Photo: Reuters

Seemingly losing patience, US officials have recently repeatedly hinted at a military solution if diplomatic efforts on the North Korea issue fail.

Right before the United Nations General Assembly session, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did not hesitate to affirm that North Korea is a global threat: “We are cooperating with our regional allies, Japan and South Korea, to deal with the threat from North Korea.

We also work with our partners and build consensus at the UN Security Council to create a united international front. North Korea is a global threat. It requires a response from all nations.”

On the evening of September 19 (Vietnam time), with North Korean diplomats sitting in the front row of the meeting, US President Donald Trump will give his first speech as President at the United Nations General Assembly.

Despite the US President’s caution about the value of international organizations, including the United Nations, Donald Trump still tried to use this forum to seek international support for stricter measures to increase pressure on North Korea. According to White House National Security Advisor McMaster, “this is not a problem between the US and North Korea, this is a problem between the world and North Korea.”

On the sidelines of the meeting, President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, with North Korea's nuclear program on the agenda.

Although North Korea's recent missile tests have drawn international criticism, many countries still do not support the military solution mentioned by US officials.

Therefore, in addition to the US's efforts to find measures to increase pressure on North Korea, the UN General Assembly meeting is also an opportunity for many countries to promote diplomatic solutions to resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reaffirmed that political and diplomatic measures are the only way to resolve the North Korean issue.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also emphasized: “Germany and I personally have mediated many such conflicts. With North Korea, there is no other solution than diplomatic efforts.

We want to resolve the issue through diplomacy, as we are doing in Ukraine. We are ready to do this in North Korea.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to meet separately with relevant parties, including North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-h, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Guterres affirmed that only a political solution can solve the North Korean nuclear problem, while military action can cause large-scale damage that cannot be resolved for many generations to come./.

According to VOV