On June 8, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded to a question about South Korea's election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council at a regular press conference. In response to this matter, Wang Wenbin stressed that we hope that after entering the Security Council, South Korea will always uphold the principles of fairness, justice and independence and unswervingly resist camp confrontation and double standards, so as to respond to the expectations of the international community.
After 11 years, South Korea has once again become a member of the Security Council, and only they know how difficult this is. This year's campaign has been particularly intense. Remember that the Council is composed of 15 members, of which there are 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. These non-permanent seats are divided into continents according to population. For example, there are five seats in Asia and Africa and two seats in Latin America. When the United Nations changed this year, South Korea was the only Asian candidate. Until then, there are still two Asian and African countries whose seats have not expired, so South Korea needs to compete with other Asian and African countries for the remaining three places. But it also means that South Korea must have two-thirds of the support of all UN member states to successfully enter the Security Council.
In the secret ballot on 6 June, 192 member States participated, casting a total of 180 affirmative votes, exceeding the minimum two-thirds of the norm. This means that South Korea will re-enter the Security Council in 11 years, and this result makes South Korea very happy. South Korean President Yoon Seok-yue said: "This is a victory for global diplomacy. ”
As an important member of the UN Security Council, China has always been committed to safeguarding and promoting peace and development in the international community. However, in international affairs, the participation and statements of individual member states will have a significant impact on the overall situation. Therefore, South Korea's becoming a non-permanent member means that the United States, Japan and South Korea have gathered. China faces two major problems.
First of all, China, Japan and South Korea have become "shareholders" of the United Nations, which may become a stumbling block for China on some important issues.
So how should China respond? It's not a big problem. At present, the most important thing for the United Nations is not a vote for it, but a vote for it. For example, in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the UN General Assembly put forward a proposal for Russia to withdraw its troops. However, when the Security Council voted, Russia vetoed the proposal with its "veto power".
Therefore, even if the United States, Japan, and South Korea gather, it will not shake the veto power in China's hands. But in some of the proposals supported by China, 3 votes are missing, and 15 votes are no longer enough to support, which is a problem that China needs to consider.
Another thing is that South Korea has finally gained a say on the Korean Peninsula.
In the past two years, the peninsula has conducted a series of missile tests, launching submarines and nuclear weapons tests, which has worried South Korea. Last year, the Council met in session. Now that South Korea is a member of the United Nations, it will have the right to approve and oppose the future Korean Peninsula issue.
At that time, South Korea, as an ordinary member, was not eligible to participate in the Security Council meetings and could only obtain one observer seat. As a participant, South Korea must fight to gain a voice in order to express its pros or cons.
In this regard, it is hoped that after South Korea enters the UN Security Council, it will continue to enhance its international role and status, and play a more active role in global affairs. In accordance with the requirements of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, any member state should join the Security Council in the spirit of fairness, justice and independence, avoid politicizing international affairs, and take the maintenance of world peace and the promotion of common development as the starting point. In this context, the expression of views and opinions within the Council also requires full respect for the wishes and concerns of other Member States.
We hope that after joining the UN Security Council, the ROK will earnestly fulfill its due duties and obligations, and make positive contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting global common development. We also expect the ROK to better carry out extensive cooperation with China and other countries to promote the stability and development of the regional situation and make joint efforts for the peace and prosperity of mankind.