Topic: 2025 – No First Use Policies and Nuclear Disarmament
Country: Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Abigail Kearney
In a world of skyrocketing urbanization and population density, nuclear and indiscriminate weapons pose greater threats to civilian life than ever before. There are nine countries with nuclear weapons, and an estimated 12,000+ nuclear warheads. The power of a single warhead is enough to cause over half a million casualties and fallout for hundreds of miles. Increasing geopolitical tensions pushes relevance of nuclear devastation to new heights, and places immense concern on the creation and testing of nuclear weapons.
The prevention of deadly use of nuclear weapons following no first use strategies must be considered as a diplomatic avenue, allowing the retention of nuclear weapons as a tool for defense only. This eliminates pathways for nuclear attack following fracturing geopolitics, and maintains security and safety for civilians, providing protection and assurance that dissuades public fear. For these reasons, the Republic of Korea recommends the ratification of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by any and all UN members, including those currently in possession of nuclear weapons. The NPT functions on the several main pillars including non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to develop nuclear energies. Non-proliferation effectively limits the ability of member states to trade and create nuclear arsenals. Disarmament, an important factor in disposing of nuclear weapons, can only function with the ratification and agreement of all nuclear states. Therefore, an increase in diplomacy and global cooperation is a prerequisite to any conversation involving nuclear weapons. The right to develop nuclear energy remains important as nuclear energy enhances technological efficiency and provides climate-safe alternatives to traditional power sources.
To create a world in which global peace becomes the standard, and citizens can feel secure, action must be taken to reduce the use and development of nuclear weapons. The Republic of Korea encourages the consideration of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a solution to growing global concerns about nuclear weapon stockpiling and stresses the need for unified action to ratify and follow the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
