North Korea’s Foreign Minister to Speak at UN for the First Time in 6 Years—What to Expect

Japanese media reported that North Korea will likely send Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui to the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for the end of September in New York.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that, according to diplomatic sources at the UN, North Korea is revising its plan to send Foreign Minister Choe to the UN General Assembly in September. If this occurs, it would be the first time in six years that a North Korean foreign minister has attended the General Debate.

The UN General Debate, which kicks off each session, typically spans about a week. During this period, heads of state, government leaders, and foreign ministers deliver speeches of approximately 15 minutes, addressing global issues and various topics.

This year’s General Debate speeches are scheduled for September 24th to 30th, and reports indicate that Choe is likely to speak on either the 28th or the 30th. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Choe’s speech will likely focus on criticizing UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea and U.S. military exercises in the Korean Peninsula while defending the country’s nuclear and missile programs.

During her visit, the Yomiuri Shimbun also mentioned the possibility that Choe might engage in diplomatic discussions with Russia or China. Russia, which has a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with North Korea, has committed to mutual military support in times of crisis.

The U.S. may seek a meeting between North Korea’s and the U.S.’s foreign ministers to discuss denuclearization, but it remains uncertain whether North Korea will agree to this proposal.

Choe became the first female foreign minister in North Korea in June 2022. She has extensive knowledge of U.S. relations, having previously led working-level negotiations during the meetings between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 and 2019.