Topic: The Situation in Yemen
Country: South Korea
Delegate Name: Irene Yi
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All South Korea position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
The situation in Yemen is tied closely with the instability in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Houthi rebels in Yemen are disrupting peace, and the country finds itself caught between conflicts around it.
As the Republic of Korea continues to grow from a developing economy to an advanced one, so does our care for the situation in the Middle East. On an economic level, over 80% of our oil supplies and half of our gas supplies come from the Middle East. The Republic of Korea will continue to invest time and energy into Middle Eastern matters despite the landmass between the two areas.
In the past, the Republic of Korea has generally sided with Sunni Arab groups. We support the UN’s ban on exporting arms to pro-Iranian Houthi fighters in Yemen. The Republic of Korea feels strongly about Iranian groups who develop nuclear weapons because of the imminent threat we have back home: we are next door neighbors to one of the most unpredictable nuclear developers in the world.
The Republic of Korea would is interested in working with like-minded countries to develop a resolution that will dull the effects of terrorism. We believe that once the surface of terrorism has been calmed, Yemen will be able to handle the conflict with clearer eyes. The Republic of Korea is more than willing to help with policy design and advice for refugees, as we are experienced in that field. However, we will not be sending in any military troops as we need what we have to defend ourselves against the threat to our north. The Republic of Korea hopes that we will be able to find peace in Yemen; only then will we be able to send this situation over to the United Nations Development Programme for infrastructure amendments.
