Topic:
Country: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Alex Mochel
Disarmament and International Security
Militarization of Outer Space
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Alex Mochel, Forest Hills Northern High School
Between 1955 and 1975, many great powers across the world competed in technological competition to reach new goals in outer space. During this time, incredible feats were achieved, and enormous progress was made internationally and domestically. For these nations involved, the goals were equal part exploration and militarization. The ongoing arms race was vital in expediting the funding and construction of rockets, satellites, and other probes. These simultaneous efforts of increasing space involvement and militarization have led to international paranoia and fear of danger from space.
In the modern age, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has successfully created one of the leading space programs in the world. The successful launch of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 using the Unha-3 rockets has led to a significant increase in the size and capability of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program. Beyond this, through advanced satellites and orbit technology, the DPRK has maintained a constant moral and purely explorational origins for this program. In this process, the DPRK has contributed to international space cooperation. As many leaders have said, the goals of the DPRK in space are to reach new pinnacles and follow those before us in planting our flag on the moon. The very nature of the DPRK’s Kwangmyŏngsŏng program is to observe both the world and outer space for a greater understanding of the universe.
Despite these 6 successful satellites of leading technology, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea acknowledges the need for international cooperation to prevent the weaponization of space and opposes the use of outer space for military purposes. In recent years, the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) has felt a more significant threat from other world powers, with danger and militarization looming beyond the atmosphere. The militarization of outer space poses great challenges to global security and stability. The DPRK is deeply concerned for the safety of its people, given the potential for a second arms race in space; this has led to a justified increase in defensive measures.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea advocates for the continued allowance of its peaceful exploration and use of outer space for scientific, technological, and developmental purposes. The DPRK also recognizes that numerous other nations do not share this common goal and may seek to exploit outer space for more sinister motives. The DPRK supports the development of international agreements that prohibit the deployment of weapons in outer space, given that both national security and interests are not infiltrated or disrupted. The current leading space treaties enacted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs cover only the legal principles and ability to explore outer space and fall exceedingly short in this topic. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea calls upon other nations with great military prowess and others affected by the danger of militarization to come to a solution for this pervasive issue.
