Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to you on your election as President of the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. I am confident that under your leadership this conference will reach a successful outcome. Let me assure you of my delegation's full support and cooperation as you fulfill your important duties.

I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Ambassador Wolfgang Hoffmann, and his staff at the Provisional Technical Secretariat for their hard work as they strive to accomplish their mandate.

Mr. President,

We are gathered here today exactly two months after the worst terrorist attacks in history were committed against the United States. These heinous acts were not only crimes against humanity, but also a dire threat to the peace and security of the entire world. They have revealed the nature and magnitude of the terrorist threat facing the international community in the starkest possible terms. In the face of this unprecedented challenge, the entire world is called upon to pool its collective wisdom and resources.

The potential arsenal available to terrorists is large and includes bio-chemical and nuclear weapons. This underscores the urgency and importance of vigorous and coordinated international efforts in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

 Mr. President,

The adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by the UN General Assembly in 1996 was a historic milestone in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The overwhelming support for the Treaty's adoption at that time raised high hopes for the advent of a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons in the not too distant future. Once it takes effect, the CTBT, together with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), will constitute the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

However, it is disappointing to note that five years after the adoption of the Treaty we still have a long way to go before it enters into force. The CTBT can achieve its intended objectives only when all nuclear-capable States accede to the Treaty. For this reason, we urge those States listed in Annex 2 of the Treaty, which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay. It is particularly important that nuclear weapon States that have not yet ratified the Treaty, accelerate their ratification process and demonstrate their leadership in strengthening the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

It is encouraging to note that, despite the regrettable nuclear test explosions carried out by two States in 1998, the moratorium on nuclear test explosions has been maintained since then. We call upon all States concerned to faithfully maintain the moratorium pending the entry into force of the CTBT.

Mr. President,

The Republic of Korea has been one of the staunchest supporters of the CTBT  from the beginning. Having taken an active part in the negotiation process in the Conference on Disarmament, we were also among the first to sign and ratify the Treaty. We wish to reiterate our unflagging commitment to the objectives and goals of the Treaty to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world by banning all nuclear test explosions in all environments. We also reaffirm our continued support for the efforts of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO in establishing the Treaty's verification regime in a timely and effective manner.

Mr. President,

Realizing a world free from nuclear weapons is a common goal and challenge for us all. The international community should take full advantage of the momentum that was created by its joint efforts five years ago. We must not waste this precious opportunity to make the world a safer and more secure place.

Thank you.
 
 

Sources

• http://www.un.org/webcast/ctbt/statements/koreaE.htm