주유엔 대한민국 대표부

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Sangjin KIM

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea

Yemen Briefing(TIPS)

New York, 30 December 2024                                                                                                    (as delivered)

Thank you, Madam President,

Before delivering my statement, I also would like to highly appreciate the dedicated efforts of the five members, Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, in maintaining international peace and security during their past two-year term as members of the Security Council.

I also thank ASG Khaled Khiari and Mr. Michael Knights for their insightful briefing and welcome the Permanent Representative of Israel to today’s discussion.

While 2024 was a disheartening year, marked by heavy casualties in the Middle East, the recent developments in the region gave us a glimmer of hope that 2025 might bring change. Yet, once again, we find ourselves gravely concerned as we witness the potential escalation of another conflict in Yemen.

It is regrettable that the Houthis continuously exploit regional uncertainty while the Middle East stands at a critical juncture. Their attacks in the Red Sea and beyond disrupt global supply chains, impede political progress, and ultimately, endanger Yemeni lives.

These Houthi attacks, including direct assaults on Israel, are particularly deplorable as they will undermine the international community’s aspirations for progress in the Middle East this year and beyond. We strongly urge the Houthis to cease these illegal and reckless attacks immediately.

Israeli attacks on Yemen’s key ports, Sana’a Airport, and power stations raise grave alarm about damage to essential lifelines, especially Hodeidah. With 19.5 million Yemenis projected to need aid in 2025, as OCHA reports, ensuring the full functionality of Hodeidah and other critical infrastructure is vital. Moreover, it is disturbing to learn that WHO Director-General and UN staff were at the airport during the strikes.

Israel had its own reasons for responding to the Houthi’s direct attacks; however, such actions must align with international law, including international humanitarian law, and must not hinder humanitarian assistance. If these principles are not upheld, we can imagine what the consequences would be like, as we saw in the Gaza conflict.

We echo the Secretary-General’s call for all parties to respect international law, including international humanitarian law, and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Now is the time for utmost restraint, as further escalation will only deepen the crisis.

Madam President,

The use of advanced weapon systems, such as ballistic missiles, UAVs, and so-called hypersonic missiles by the Houthis, complicates the regional situation. In this context, we urge the international community to pay greater attention to the Panel of Experts’ final reports of this year, which highlights “unprecedented” support of weapons and related materials to the Houthis in both nature and scale.

The regional situation and compliance with the targeted arms embargo under Security Council Resolution 2216 are now more interconnected than ever. Compliance with this resolution is the bare minimum for progress of the regional situation.

Thus, we reiterate our call for all UN Member States, including neighboring countries, to faithfully implement all relevant Security Council resolutions, especially the targeted arms embargo.

Lastly, Madam President,

Turning back to Yemen, as Special Envoy Hans Grunberg stated repeatedly, “Peace in Yemen is still achievable.” To reach this goal, it is imperative for all parties, particularly the Houthis, to refrain strictly from any provocative actions, respond positively to Special Envoy and other stakeholders’ efforts, and engage sincerely in dialogues to advance Yemen’s political process.

The international community and Security Council must remain united in backing an inclusive Yemeni-led political transition under UN auspices to this end.

I thank you, Madam President. /END/