1. A new draft UN Security Council resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was put to a vote on the afternoon of May 26, New York time. Despite the overwhelming support by 13 members of the 15-member Security Council, this resolution was not passed as two permanent members vetoed it.

2. It is the first time that a UN Security Council resolution on the DPRK has been vetoed. The government of the Republic of Korea deeply regrets that the draft resolution was not adopted in the midst of the ongoing ballistic missile launches and the possibility of another nuclear test by the DPRK and despite the broad support expressed by most Security Council member states.

3. The failure to adopt the resolution greatly undermines the international community's confidence in the Security Council. The Security Council member states should respond to the DPRK’s violation of Security Council resolutions and exert all efforts to play a responsible role in achieving the denuclearization of the DPRK.

4. Building on the overwhelming support in the Security Council as demonstrated in today’s voting, the Republic of Korea will closely cooperate with the international community for the DPRK to cease its violations of Security Council resolutions and to return to the path of denuclearization.