South Korea urges world action on North Korean nuclear threat

South Korea has called for urgent international action to address North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, describing it as the single greatest threat to the global nonproliferation system, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Pyongyang described as unique case

Vice Foreign Minister Jeong Yeon-doo made the remarks during a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference in New York, stressing that North Korea remains an exceptional challenge after withdrawing from the treaty while continuing its nuclear development. "The DPRK is the only case that has benefited from the NPT regime, announced its withdrawal, and openly continued the development of nuclear weapons, thereby remaining the most pressing challenge to the nonproliferation regime," Jeong said.

Call for unified message and pressure on Russia

Jeong urged the global community to send a unified signal that Pyongyang’s security and economic future depend on returning to the NPT framework. He also called on Russia to halt military cooperation with North Korea, warning that such ties violate UN Security Council resolutions and undermine the broader nonproliferation regime. The NPT, in force since 1970, remains a cornerstone agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear arms and promote peaceful nuclear energy, with review conferences held every five years.