Quad Foreign Ministers Condemn North Korea's Nuclear Ambitions and Address Global Security Concerns

The Quad Foreign Ministers, representing a coalition of the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia, voiced their disapproval of North Korea's ongoing development of ballistic missile technology and nuclear capabilities, which they argue violate numerous UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). In a unified statement, they called on North Korea to adhere to these resolutions and participate in meaningful discussions regarding denuclearization. They expressed particular concern regarding North Korea's use of cyber activities and its international workforce to finance unlawful arms programs.

The statement highlighted the importance of preventing any further spread of North Korea's missile technology and stressed that all UN member nations should comply with existing UNSCRs that forbid transferring or obtaining arms and related materials from North Korea. Amid criticisms of the renewed UN Panel of Experts' mandate concerning North Korean sanctions, the Quad emphasized their determination to enforce the UNSCRs firmly, including addressing the issue of abductions.

Additionally, the ministers raised awareness of the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing its tragic humanitarian consequences and the need for a just peace that respects international law. They acknowledged the negative impact the conflict has on global food and energy security, particularly affecting developing nations, and reiterated that the threat of nuclear weapon use is entirely unacceptable.

In their discussions, the ministers denounced cross-border terrorism and the utilization of drones and tunnels by terrorist groups. They condemned all forms of terrorism while specifically referencing attacks such as those in Mumbai and Pathankot, urging swift action to bring those responsible to justice. They called for countries to take decisive measures to prevent their territories from being used for terrorist activities.

The Quad ministers expressed their commitment to international cooperation against terrorism and highlighted their collaboration with regional partners to enhance capacity in detecting and addressing emerging threats. They welcomed recent discussions on counter-terrorism initiatives and looked forward to future meetings aimed at strengthening these efforts.