Security Council – Work assessment under Republic of Korea presidency (February 2013) – Letter from Republic of Korea (excerpts)

Letter dated 20 May 2013 from the Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council 

 I have the honour to transmit herewith the report on the work of the Security Council during the presidency of the Republic of Korea in February 2013 (see annex). 

 The document was prepared under my responsibility, after consultations with the other members of the Security Council. 

 I should be grateful if you would have the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council. 

(Signed) Kim Sook 

Permanent Representative 

Annex to the letter dated 20 May 2013 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council 

   Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the Presidency of the Republic of Korea (February 2013) 

   Introduction 

Under the Presidency of the Republic of Korea in February 2013, the Security Council considered a number of agenda items related to Africa, namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan and the Sudan. The Council also discussed issues relating to the Middle East, including Yemen and the Syrian Arab Republic, and non-proliferation (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).

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 The Security Council held 11 public meetings, 2 private meetings and 13 closed consultations. The Council adopted three resolutions and two presidential statements and issued three press statements.

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   Middle East 

   The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question 

 On 26 February, the Council held its monthly meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs briefed the Council at a public meeting. The briefing was followed by consultations of the whole.

 The Under-Secretary-General underscored that 2013 was a crucial year to push forward the political process. He emphasized the need for decisive and concerted action, including through a revitalized and relevant Quartet. He expressed concern about recent incidents, including the firing of rockets from Gaza earlier that day and the death of Palestinian detainee Arafat Jaradat. …

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 Following the briefing, the Council held consultations of the whole. On the Palestinian issue, the Members expressed concern about the negative impact that recent incidents might have on the peace process. They stressed the importance of dialogue and confidence-building between the two sides. …

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