Statement by

H.E. MR. CHOE SU HON

VICE-MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

AT THE SPECIAL SESSION OF UNGA

ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

GENEVA, 27 JUNE 2000

Mr. President,

I would like, first, to extend warm greetings to you, Mr. Theo-ben Gurirab, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Namibia and the Chairman of the Special Session. I believe that the current session would owe much to your talented diplomatic skills and experience.

I would also like to express deep gratitude to the Swiss Government for having made excellent preparations for the Session and provided all possible conveniences for the delegations.

Mr. President,

It is now five years since the adoption of the Declaration and the Programme of Action at the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development. During the period under review, the international community has striven to achieve the goals put forward at the World Summit, and the international organisations within UN systems and the relevant regional organisations have also actively joined in these efforts.

As a result, the social development issues have been considerably brought to the attention of the international community and some action-oriented steps were taken in this direction.

However, the problems such as poverty and unemployment, the major concern of the Summit, are rather aggravated and the overall socio-economic development is faced with serious challenges.

This is manifested by the statistical fact that the number of world people living in poverty has increased from 1 billion to 1.4 billion in five years, the number of the unemployed and the underemployed reaches at 1 billion and the external debt of the developing countries amounts to 2.5 trillion US$.

This can be said to be a partial reflection of adverse aspect of the globalization.

Globalisation brings profits only to the developed countries. It imposes poverty, unemployment and economic subjugation upon the developing countries.

Use of force and arbitrary actions in violation of the sovereignty of other countries constitutes another factor that hinders socio-economic development. Bombardment and economic sanctions against the sovereign states and various kinds of conflicts not only threaten the right to existence of people and bring about social instability, inequality and crimes, but also pose damaging consequences to socio-economic development of the neighbouring countries and regions.

We are of the view that addressing these challenges should be the main task of the Special Session.

Mr. President,

The people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, firmly rallied around the great leader General Kim Jong 11 with one mind, are now undertaking vigorous struggle in the face of the manifold difficulties and hardships in order to achieve higher level of socioeconomic development and build a powerful country in near future.

We are making all our efforts to overcome the consequences of the several-yearlong severe natural disasters, while coping with the continued isolation attempt and economic blockade by the foreign forces against our country. Under these circumstances, however, the Government of the DPRK continues to put into effect the free education, free medical care and other social policies, taking full responsibility of the people's life.

It is the manifestation of the result of the army-first policy, army-first leadership of the respected General Kim Jong II that our country with relatively small territory and population is able to continue to introduce social policies for the popular masses, while firmly defending its sovereignty, facing up to the isolating and stiffling attempt of the forces hostile to our country.

The Government of the DPRK will strive, as ever, to effectuate the people-centred social policies on a higher level.

Mr. President,

This Special Session, which is held at the historical moment when we enter into a new century, is vested with heavy responsibility to bring hope and confidence to the mankind to see a peaceful and prosperous new century where there are no challenges.

Our delegation is of the opinion that particular attention should be paid to the following issues in considering possible measures for implementing the Copenhagen Programme of Action.

First, the international community will have to devote its efforts to establishing an equitable international economic order.

Present reality, where there exists critical disparity between the north and the south in the economic development levels and capabilities, requires not "globalization", but equitable international economic order based on the principle of respect for sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit.

In historical retrospect, social development is directly linked to economic development, and social problems such as poverty and unemployment can be solved only when sustainable economic development is achieved.

It is the priority task of the developing countries to build independent national economy and strengthen development capabilities.

In this regard, international trade and investment policies will have to be reformulated and international financial structure be reformed in such a way as to increase preferential treatment and development financing for the developing countries. And, concrete measures should be taken to increase international development and cooperation fund, reduce or nullify external debts and introduce unconditional transfer of technology.

Second, the principle of respect for state sovereignty and non-interference in others' internal affairs should be strictly adhered to in the international relations.

The use of force and the intervention in others' internal affairs against their sovereignty committed under the pretext of "human rights" and "humanitarian affairs" should be rejected, since they constitute open attempt to destroy the principle of respect for state sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter and other international laws.

Third, arbitrary economic sanctions and blockade should be lifted and all disputes be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.

The reality shows that the arbitrary economic sanctions and blockade and all kinds of disputes give serious negative effect to the socio-economic development not only of the target countries but also of the neighbouring countries and regions and threaten even the existence of thousands of people.

Therefore, arbitrary sanctions and blockade should not be allowed any longer. And the disputes should be resolved by way of dialogue and negotiations and their abuse for any political purposes should not be condoned in any case.

In order to address the said issues in a proper manner, all countries must display their strong will to achieve the social development goals put forward by the World Summit, and the active involvement by the United Nations and its agencies is particularly required.

The Government and the people of the DPRK will contribute to the international community in their efforts for world independence and social development by safeguarding the sovereignty of the country and building a powerful and prosperous country.

Thank you.