Topic: Territorial Dispute in the South China Sea
Country: North Korea
Delegate Name: Brandon Buxton
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All North Korea position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
In any discussion of territorial sovereignty, The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea feels that the proper and current use of the disputed land must be taken into account, along with the order in which the disputing nations laid claim to the territory.
For centuries, The People’s Republic of China, our strong ally, has laid sovereign and valid claim to the South China Sea. Since before 1974, The People’s Republic has laid claim to the Paracel Islands. After 1974, China then gained complete control of these essential islands. In addition, much of the South China Sea was given to them by Japan as part of their surrender terms after World War II. This entirely predates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and therefore these islands and sea claims should be recognized as the territory of the People’s Republic of China.
The People’s Republic of China is also taking most advantage of these lands. As a leader in world economic development, China is beginning to exploit the vast quantity of oil and natural gas that lies under their territory in the South China Sea. This has led to the creation of new permanent structures and islands, including oil rigs, which is well within their right as the sovereign nation controlling these waters. The People’s Republic of China should be applauded and lauded for their continued commitment to worldwide economic development, not attacked by countries that wish to lay claim to territory that never was and never shall be theirs.
