Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Jihoon CHA

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea

Briefing on UNMISS (South Sudan)

New York, 11 November 2025 (AM)                            <as delivered>

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank USG Lacroix, USG Bahous and Executive Director Dersso for their informative briefings. I also welcome the participation of the Representative of South Sudan in today’s meeting.

Twelve years ago, the Republic of Korea demonstrated its special commitment to South Sudan by deploying its military engineering troops, known as the ‘Hanbit Unit’. At that time, we sincerely believed that rebuilding communities would help lay the groundwork for lasting peace.

More than a decade has now passed. Yet, elections remain overdue, the Revitalized Peace Agreement is under mounting strain amid deepening political friction, and renewed violence continues to worsen humanitarian suffering.

With this context in mind, I would like to highlight three points today.

First, it is time for the parties to rekindle the spirit of the Revitalized Agreement—a spirit of compromise, trust, and shared responsibility—to restore political confidence.

Only when the key parties to the Revitalized Agreement sit down together on equal terms can any political process in South Sudan move forward.

We note with concern the suspension of the First Vice-President, who is one of the two primary signatories to the Agreement. The unilateral dismissals of senior SPLM-IO officials and parallel governance structures between SPLM and SPLM-IO are not merely political disagreements—they are fractures that risk institutional collapse.

We therefore urge all parties to return to genuine, good-faith dialogue so that they can be fully prepared for free and fair elections next year. It’s important that these elections take place as scheduled and should stand as a defining moment for South Sudan to demonstrate genuine inclusivity and national unity. 

Second, political progress cannot be sustained in the absence of security stabilization.

The continued armed clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO, including the use of indiscriminate aerial bombing, constitute a violation of the ceasefire and a grave threat to civilians.

All parties must immediately cease acts of violence and recommit to full implementation of the security provisions of the Revitalized Agreement. This includes the second phase of Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) training.

In this connection, the role of UNMISS remains indispensable in fulfilling its mandate to protect civilians. We strongly condemn the repeated attacks against the Mission, as well as the obstruction of its implementation of contingency plan amid the ongoing liquidity crisis. We urge South Sudanese authorities to fully cooperate with the Mission.

Third, civilians remain the first to suffer and the last to be protected in South Sudan’s conflicts.

Ongoing violence and lack of humanitarian access are worsening an already dire situation—marked by massive displacement, severe food insecurity, climate-induced flooding, and the worst cholera outbreak in the country’s history.

We also strongly condemn the increasing attacks on humanitarian workers, including the recent looting of nutrition supplies from a humanitarian helicopter. Safe and unhindered humanitarian access must be guaranteed.

To help alleviate these conditions, we call for stronger international humanitarian support. For our part, Korea is working with various UN Funds and Programs, to protect survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and to support peacebuilding initiatives.

Mr. President,

As I recalled at the outset, Korea has contributed troops to South Sudan for many years, driven by the hope that the country would one day be able to stand on its own and take the path toward lasting peace.

However, peacekeeping can buy time—but it cannot buy will. The next steps rests with South Sudanese themselves. The international partners, including Korea, who have stood with the South Sudanese people, will continue to support it—now, responsibility must be matched by resolve.

Thank you.  /END/