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 Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Christian Ehler, Ioannis Kasoulides, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra on behalf of the PPE Group

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

B7‑0361/2010

European Parliament resolution on the situation in the Korean Peninsula

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions relating to the Korean Peninsula,

–   having regard to United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009),

–   having regard to Council Decision 2009/1002/CFSP of 22 December 2009,

–   having regard to the Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the publication of the report on the sinking of the Republic of Korea ship Cheonan of 20 May 2010,

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

A. whereas tensions on the Korean Peninsula have dramatically increased since the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan on 26 March 2010, with the tragic loss of 46 lives,

B.  whereas the conclusions of the work of the Joint Investigation Group composed of Korean and international experts, together with an independent assessment by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Committee present on the Korean Peninsula, present compelling evidence that the sinking of the vessel was caused by a torpedo of North Korean make,

C. whereas the government of the Republic of Korea refrained from apportioning blame to any party before the presentation of the final report and conclusions of the work of the Joint Investigation Group,

D. whereas following the publication of the final report of the Joint Investigation Committee, the government of the Republic of Korea has stopped all relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, humanitarian aid for children and the operations of the Kaesong Industrial Complex excepted,

E.  whereas the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has denied any involvement in the sinking of the Republic of Korea ship Cheonan, and has threatened open war in case further sanctions are implemented by the RoK,

F.  whereas the Government of the Republic of Korea has laid the blame for the sinking of the vessel with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and has requested the United Nations Security Council to investigate the case and come up with appropriate international measures against the DPRK,

G. whereas the government of the Republic of Korea has demanded a public apology from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and a promise that no further hostile actions or provocations will occur,

H. whereas the government of Republic of Korea has declared that it would not return to the Six-Party Talks before appropriate measures had been taken towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,

I.   whereas the international community has expressed its sympathy for the tragic loss of life, and its support for the people and government of the Republic of Korea,

J.   whereas the governments of the People’s Republic Of China and of the Russian Federation have not yet taken a clear position on the final report and conclusions of the work of the Joint Investigation Group,

K. whereas the armed forces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have continued with provocative and reckless military acts, such as the killing of three Chinese nationals on the PRC-DPRK border on 4 June 2010,

L.  whereas the EU strongly supports the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, with a resumption of the Six-Party Talks as an essential process for peace and stability in the region,

1.  Deeply regrets the tragic loss of life aboard the Republic of Korea ship Cheonan and conveys its sympathy to the families of the killed, the Korean people and the authorities of the Republic of Korea in a spirit of solidarity and friendship;

2.  Commends the restraint of the Government of the Republic of Korea in apportioning blame for the sinking to any party pending the conclusions of the final report of the Joint Investigation Group;

3.  Acknowledges the conclusions of the final report of the Joint Investigation Group which relates to the sinking of the vessel caused by a North Korean torpedo, and firmly condemns the sinking as a provocative act against peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula;

4.  Expresses its support for the referral of the matter to the United Nations Security Council by the government of the Republic of Korea;

5.  Calls on the governments of the People’s Republic of China and of the Russian Federation, as permanent United Nations Security Council Members, to closely examine the final report and conclusions of the work of the Joint Investigation Group;

6.  Underlines the need for a return to the Six-Party Talks as a means to achieve the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula;

7.  Is of the opinion that openness for dialogue between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is of vital importance to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula;

8.  Calls on the European Commission to maintain existing humanitarian aid programmes and channels of communication with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as these aid programmes are directly linked to the living conditions of the people in the DPRK;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the Member States, the Governments of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and the United Nations Secretary-General.