MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Korean Peninsula

14.6.2010

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the European Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Tannock on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0358/2010

B7‑0358/2010

European Parliament resolution on the situation in the Korean Peninsula

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),

 

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 26 March 2010 an explosion caused the South Korean warship the ROKS Cheonan to sink with the loss of 46 lives,

B.  whereas an international team of experts from South Korea (ROK), the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia and Sweden undertook an inquiry into the sinking of the Cheonan,

C. whereas the international inquiry clearly concluded that the DPRK was responsible for the sinking citing as evidence the fact that the torpedo parts found during the investigation matched a North Korean CHT-02D torpedo,

D. whereas there has been widespread international condemnation of the DPRK as a result of this action,

E.  whereas the European Union's High Representative has condemned the sinking of the Cheonan as a heinous and deeply irresponsible action,

F.  whereas the government of the People's Republic of China has thus far failed to condemn the sinking of the Cheonan,

G. whereas the ROK has continued to ship humanitarian aid to the DPRK in spite of the difficult diplomatic situation,

H. whereas the ROK has referred the matter to the United Nations Security Council,

I.   whereas June 2010 represents the 10th anniversary of the beginning of North-South talks on the Korean peninsula,

J.   whereas the Government of the DPRK continues to inflict human rights abuses on the people of North Korea including the use of torture and summary executions,

K. whereas the DPRK is alleged to be a centre for the production of counterfeit money,

L.  whereas the DPRK continues to develop its nuclear arms programme,

M. whereas Resolution 1928 (2010) of the United Nations Security Council of 7 June 2010 extends the mandate of the Expert Panel monitoring sanctions against the DPRK until 12 June 2011,

1.  Calls on the Government of the DPRK to admit to and apologise for the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan;

2.  Calls on the international community to maintain pressure on the DPRK to honour its commitments under international law;

3.  Calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to exercise responsibility as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council by using its considerable economic influence on the DPRK to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula;

4.  Urges the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its influence in favour of a resumption of the six-party talks;

5.  Commends the role of the United States military by its presence in the ROK in providing a stabilising influence in the region;

6.  Commends the Government of the ROK for its restrained and measured response to the results of the international investigation despite the loss of 46 of its sailors;

7.  Commends the Government of the ROK for its decision to continue to send humanitarian aid to the DPRK;

8.  Calls on the international community to maintain pressure on the government of the DPRK to put an end to its human rights abuses against the people of North Korea;

9.  Welcomes the decision by the United Nations Security Council to extend the mandate of the Expert Panel and calls on the Government of the DPRK to terminate its nuclear armaments programme;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the People's Republic of China.