In his speech at the annual debate of the United Nations General Assembly, President Yoon referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the DPRK and stressed that any agreement reached between the two countries “would threaten peace and security not only from Ukraine, but also from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. from Korea. »
It is paradoxical, he said, that Russia, a “permanent member of the UN”, security Councildesignated as the ultimate guardian of world peace, would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive weapons and ammunition from a regime that openly violates the UN. security Council resolutions. »
In this context, “the call for Security Council reform should receive broad support,” President Yoon said.
Ongoing crises; geopolitical divisions
Reminding UN member states that the world is facing multifaceted global crises of unprecedented scale, Yoon said divisions between countries are deepening in various areas, including security, economy, technology, health, environment and culture.
He added: “The two-year war in Ukraine has deepened the division of values and ideologies within the international community. »
In addition, the economic repercussions of COVID-19 The pandemic has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, causing a contraction in the global economy and leading to food and energy crises in many parts of the world.
According to Mr. Yoon, “in difficult times, it is the most vulnerable who suffer the most.”
Our “boiling Earth”
On what he called the “climate divide,” which is linked to climate change as another challenge that has deepened the economic divide between nations and hindered the sustainable development of humanity.
The president’s remarks come just months after most countries experienced the hottest summer ever recorded on Earth.
“In this ‘earth in turmoil’, extreme weather events such as heat waves, torrential rains and typhoons have become the norm. Climate change is causing geopolitical shifts in agriculture and fisheries, worsening crises in countries vulnerable to food shortages, Yoon warned.
To help countries vulnerable to climate change reduce their carbon emissions and accelerate their transition to clean energy, the Korean president said his country would contribute an additional $300 million to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Rules to govern AI
On the issue of the digital divide, Yoon said his country plans to play a leading role in bridging the digital divide and utilizing the strengths of information and communications technology (ICT).
“The digital divide is a major cause of the economic divide. Therefore, bridging the digital divide will be a positive asset in solving the challenges faced by countries in the South, Yoon said.
He proposed the creation of an international organization under the auspices of the UN to discuss and establish rules regarding digital ethics.
“If we fail to curb the spread of fake news resulting from the misuse of AI and digital technologies, our freedom will be threatened; the market economy anchored in liberal democracy will be in danger; and our very future will be threatened,” Mr. Yoon warned.
Full declaration available here.
