Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Making full preparations for follow-up after implementation of UNSC resolution

Ordered an immediate response to North Korean cyber provocation

Requested that the human rights of North Korean residents be protected and improved

Praised soldiers for their hard work maintaining the security posture

President Park Geun-hye has urged North Korea to change and ordered a powerful and immediate response to any North Korean provocation. During the 11th Cabinet meeting held on March 15, she stressed that North Korea will self-destruct if it continues to provoke and confront the international community rather than attempt to change. She also requested that our government and the armed forces to maintain a sharp readiness so that we are ready to punish North Korea immediately when they provoke us.

President Park ordered that thorough follow-up measures be pursued after implementation of the UNSC resolution. “Our government has announced the imposition of independent sanctions against North Korea at the level of faithful implementation of the UNSC resolution, and will lead cooperation in the international community for change in North Korea. The international consensus against North Korea has been strengthening, as the U.S., Japan and the EU have come up with independent measures or are already implementing them, so related departments will be making full preparations to ensure the international cooperation and our independent sanctions are applied thoroughly based on public understanding and support,” she added.

She also ordered a thorough response to cyber provocations from North Korea. She said, “Recently, North Korea has been continuing to provoke us through internet-based attacks. I’d like to enhance our collaboration not only with related departments but with online-related industries, and maintain a thorough response system by inspecting response manuals in advance.”

On human rights in North Korea, President Park demanded the actual protection and enhancement of human rights of North Korean residents with the passage of the North Korean Human Rights Act, saying that North Korea’s human rights record was evaluated as the worst in the world, and that today’s North Korean residents suffer from hardships and are not guaranteed the basic level of human rights.

As well, she praised soldiers for their hard work after North Korea's nuclear experiment. “Since North Korea's nuclear experiment, our soldiers have maintained an elevated security posture for a long time, and many people are working night and day to respond to cyber-terrorism. I’d like to ask the government and military to pay special attention to these people who are working so hard, and make sure their fatigue does not build up too much,” said the President.

During an official dinner with heads of diplomatic offices that was held the evening before at Cheongwadae, President Park said, “Our government needs to break out of the vicious circle in which North Korea does not face sanctions despite their provocations, while the supports coming from Korea and the international community turn into nuclear and missile development. Working with the international community, we are going to firmly and strongly respond to North Korea until they get on the right road to true denuclearization, and stop the tyranny that violates the human rights of North Korean residents and brings starvation to them.”

By Yeong-Sun, Lee < ys119@dema.mil.kr >

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