Head of Delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) delivered a statement at the NAM Ministerial Meeting held on October 9 during the 75 th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The statement reads as follows:

Mr. Chairman,

I would first like to express my appreciation to the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for its active efforts for the strengthening and development of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as the Chair of NAM, and I am confident that this meeting will come to an excellent fruition under the able guidance of H.E. Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Chairman,

The current meeting is held in an unprecedented environment where the existence of humankind is at serious risk from the worldwide rapid spread of COVID-19.

Wiping out the malignant virus off the planet and saving humanity is the most pressing issue which brooks no further delay, and effectively responding to this global pandemic is a matter of utmost urgency now faced by the Movement.

In response to the crisis evolving out of COVID-19, the Movement has denounced and rejected the unilateral coercive measures against its member states, called for strengthening mutual support and solidarity among its members on several occasions including the online summit level meeting of the NAM Contact Group, and built a Movement database containing the need and requirements for humanitarian aid.

Success in the fight against the worldwide malignant virus can be ensured only when all countries assume responsibility for the life and safety of their own people and take thoroughgoing anti-epidemic measures.

Thanks to the far-sighted measures of the government of the DPRK taking the people-first policy as its political philosophy and idea, a stable anti-epidemic situation is maintained in our country until now.

Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, with his far-sighted wisdom and resolute determination, saw through the danger of the pandemic at an early stage of its outbreak and provided wise leadership in taking all pre-emptive and decisive measures to contain its spread.

The government of the DPRK will firmly defend the safety of our people by building upon the state emergency anti-epidemic measures without allowing the slightest complacency and laxity until the danger of inflow of the pandemic is completely gone away.

Under the wise leadership of Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission, our people are now waging a vigorous struggle to break through on the strength of self-reliance and by confronting head-on the difficulties that lie in advancing the socialist construction this year which marks the 75th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

We have suffered extensive damages this year caused by successive natural disasters, but we are doing everything we can on our own efforts to recover from the damages of typhoons and floods and bring our people back to a stable life.

Although challenges of the hostile forces continue and the difficulties encountered are enormous, no one would stop the advance of our people firmly rallied around the leader in a single-minded unity, and we will surely achieve prosperity by dint of self-reliance and self-development.

Mr. Chairman,

Today, in the international arena, high-handedness and arbitrariness by certain forces become ever more reckless and the power politics grow rampant, thereby complicating the international relations as days go by.

In particular, the sovereignty of the non-aligned countries is encroached, and interference, threats and aggression against these countries continue unabated.

The prevailing situation calls upon all member states to firmly adhere to the UN Charter and the principles of the NAM, which require respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs of other countries and peaceful settlement of disputes.

The 18th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of NAM held in October 2019 in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, adopted the Final Document which reflects its position on consolidating the unity of the member states and further strengthening the Movement into an anti-war, peace-loving force to reject high-handedness, arbitrariness, aggression and infringement on sovereignty by the imperialist forces and safeguard the sovereignty and the rights to existence and development.

The Movement, as it has reaffirmed in the Baku Summit and other summit meetings, should strengthen solidarity in all fields including politics, economy and culture, actively push ahead with its revitalization and raise its common voice louder in the international arena.

The delegation of the DPRK takes this opportunity to reiterate its support to and solidarity with Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Palestine and other developing countries in their just struggle to reject interference in their internal affairs, economic blockade and pressure by the western countries and defend their state sovereignty and national interests.

Mr. Chairman,

It is an invariable goal of the government of the DPRK to struggle to build a peaceful world free of war.

When the progressive humankind that love independence, justice and peace unite firmly and fight vigorously, it will be possible to build an independent and peaceful world, free of high-handedness, arbitrariness, and war manoeuvres of the imperialist forces.

The DPRK delegation avails itself of this opportunity to express its deep gratitude to the member states of NAM that consistently support and encourage its people in their struggle to speed up the building of a powerful socialist country and safeguard peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the region.

The DPRK will continue to actively develop friendly and cooperative relations with the NAM countries under the ideas of independence, peace and friendship and make vigorous efforts to strengthen and develop the Movement and to ensure its joint action and safeguard peace and security of the region and the world at large.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.