Committee: Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC)

Agenda: Countering Illicit Arms Trafficking for Global Peace by Strengthening Treaties and
Fostering Global Cooperation
Country: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)

Trafficking of illicit weapons is a serious danger to world peace because it intensifies hostilities
and jeopardizes regional and national security. Small arms and light weapons (SALW)
proliferation, particularly in areas prone to conflict, feeds violence and instability. Although
foundations for control are provided by international agreements like the Arms Trade Treaty
(ATT) and programs like the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit
Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA), implementation gaps and
difficulties still exist.

The UN General Assembly's Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) takes
significant steps to combat illicit arms trafficking. In addition to promoting international
cooperation among member states and drafting policies and resolutions to control the arms trade,
it also makes information sharing and teamwork easier. In order to assist nations in fortifying their
own domestic laws, DISEC advocates for the application of legal frameworks like the UN
Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Additionally, it helps capacity-building
initiatives by offering training and technical support to strengthen national weapons control
policies. Furthermore, by increasing public knowledge of the effects of illegal arms trafficking,
DISEC encourages support for international action. DISEC makes a substantial contribution to
stopping the spread of illegal weapons and advancing global peace and security, even though its
mandate encompasses more general security challenges.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea emphasizes on the diplomatic efforts and negotiations
to reduce tensions and promote regional and global security. The DPRK is open to discussion and
cooperation to address security concerns. It roots for a fair and non-discriminatory approach to
arms control. It also highlights the needs for international policies that respect the sovereignty and
security of all nations. It believes that the existing treaties for controlling illicit trafficking of arms
are unbalanced and unfair. The DPRK maintains that its actions are driven by the need to safeguard
its sovereignty and security. It believes that the ATT is discriminatory and advantageous to the
Western countries. It begs to state that the DPRK is all in favor of countering illicit arms trafficking
to ensure global peace. Considering these things, the DPRK would like to suggest some probable
solutions to countering illicit arms trafficking which are as follows:
 1. Urging the UNSC to mitigate the ongoing conflict between various countries around the
globe as this creates conflict zones. Conflict zones are the hotspots and one of the biggest
reasons of illicit arms trafficking.

2. Strengthening international cooperation to identify and dismantle black markets by

conducting joint operations, and disrupting financial networks that support black markets
which can be done by tracking and freezing assets related to illicit arms trade.

3. Implementing comprehensive DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration)

programmes in order to deal with the rebels and insurgent militias.

4. Urging the countries for making efforts to combat corruption and poverty, gain political
stability, improve the effectiveness of institutions responsible for regulating arms trade
through governance reforms as these are some major causes of illicit arms trafficking.

5. Strengthening border security against illicit arms trafficking through better infrastructure
and trained personnel, and fostering regional cooperation to manage and secure shared
borders to stop illegal arms trade.

References:

1. https://www.un.org/pga/75/committees/disarmament-and-international-security-
committee-dise/
2. https://disarmament.unoda.org/
3. https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/UN-Security-Council-Resolutions-on-North-
Korea
4. https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15252.doc.htm
5. https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE92R10E/