The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has introduced a new historical document to the parliament — a draft resolution aimed at unanimously condemning and officially recognizing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) as an aggressor state
This initiative has become a response to growing signs and evidence of Pyongyang’s military cooperation with the Kremlin amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which has lasted for over a year and resulted in catastrophic consequences for the Ukrainian people and territory. According to the bill numbered 13301, presented in the parliament, Ukrainian authorities urge the international community to recognize North Korea’s activities as criminal, directed against the foundations of international law, and to apply effective measures to halt them. The document particularly emphasizes the close military cooperation between the DPRK and the aggressor country Russia, which includes providing weapons, equipment, ammunition, and other military support necessary for conducting hostilities on Ukrainian territory. In appeals to reputable international organizations such as the UN, the European Union, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, NATO, and parliaments of other countries worldwide, Ukrainian deputies accuse North Korea of effectively participating in the war on the side of Russia. According to analytical information provided by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), at least 4 million artillery shells, as well as rockets, howitzers, and various military equipment, have been transferred to Russia. Experts estimate that Pyongyang’s profits from this military cooperation may have exceeded $20 billion, which raises serious doubts about even the most stringent diplomatic and legal norms of the modern world. The draft resolution states that North Korea’s activities in this war violate not only political and ethical norms but also fundamental provisions of international law, including the UN Charter and the General Assembly resolution “On the Definition of Aggression” (No. 3314). The document calls on the international community to act in a coordinated manner to force the North Korean leadership to cease military support to Moscow, stop the supply of weapons, and prevent further escalation of the conflict, which has already caused widespread human suffering and destruction in Ukraine. Special attention is given to the need to impose additional sanctions against North Korea, and to strengthen diplomatic and economic pressure on the regime in Pyongyang in order to deter any actions supporting Russia’s war effort against Ukraine. This is a crucial component of measures aimed at closing any avenues for reinforcing Moscow’s military activities in the unfree state. A significant event was the statement made in Seoul on May 19 by former International Criminal Court President Son Sang-Hyon, who emphasized that there are absolutely sufficient grounds for Ukraine to initiate official criminal proceedings against high-ranking officials of the Kim Jong-un regime. This concerns North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war with the purpose of helping Moscow solidify its position on Ukrainian land, which is a gross violation of international law and the methods of conducting warfare. The Ukrainian governments and diplomatic structures are convinced that this step by the Verkhovna Rada will serve as an important signal to the world: that Ukraine will not remain on the sidelines of the global fight for the rule of international law and security. Recognizing North Korea as an aggressor state is not merely a formal act but also a signal to strengthen sanctions policies aimed at isolating the Pyongyang regime and preventing further escalation of the conflict. It should be noted that this initiative still needs support within diplomatic circles and must receive an appropriate response from the international community. As the conflict on Ukrainian soil has become one of the most significant global issues of modern times, active steps by Ukraine in this direction will help draw even greater attention to the role and responsibility of all involved parties in this aggression. The signing and adoption of such a resolution will mark a new stage in the fight for justice and the international order, to which Ukraine will dedicate maximum efforts to achieve ultimate victory.