UN Security Council warned of DPRK missile, nuclear advances as expert panel mandate lapsed

Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Hiyari briefed the United Nations Security Council on nonproliferation concerns related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying the DPRK continued ballistic missile launches and public displays of undeclared uranium enrichment facilities and that the Security Council panel of experts’ mandate was not renewed beyond April 30, 2024.

Hiyari told the council the DPRK conducted launches throughout 2024 and early 2025, including what it characterized as a Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile in October and an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile in January. He cited International Atomic Energy Agency reporting that the DPRK continued “open displays” of undeclared uranium enrichment facilities at Yongbyon and Gangseon and said official DPRK statements have reiterated plans to develop tactical nuclear warheads, military reconnaissance satellites and a nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine.

Hiyari said those activities “continue to undermine the global nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation regime and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.” He urged continued efforts to reduce nuclear risk and prevent any use of a nuclear weapon.

On the UN monitoring architecture, Hiyari reported that the Security Council-appointed panel of experts, established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1874 (2009), gathered and analyzed information from member states, relevant United Nations bodies and other parties from December 2009 until April 30, 2024. He said the panel issued two reports annually and that its last report was released on March 20, 2024. The council did not renew the panel’s mandate beyond April 30, 2024, he said, but the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1718 (2006) continues to oversee the sanctions regime.

Hiyari reiterated the obligation of all member states to implement relevant sanctions measures, and quoted the Secretary-General’s position that any relationship a country has with the DPRK must fully abide by Security Council sanctions.

Separately, Hiyari drew the council’s attention to humanitarian needs inside the DPRK and said the UN should be allowed to strengthen assistance. He repeated calls for the DPRK to facilitate the return of the UN country team to support people in the country and to advance the 2030 agenda.

The briefing concluded with the council moving to the next speaker; no vote or formal Security Council decision on the panel’s mandate was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.