GEARMUN 2022
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
BACKGROUND GUIDE
Agenda - Discussing the rising tensions between The Republic of Korea and the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Co-Chair: Nandita Dey Co-Chair: Muhammed Hafesjee Moderator: Riana Kapoor
Letters from the Executive Board
Dear Delegates,
As your Co-Chair for this committee and this also being my first MUN as an EB member I am extremely
excited to welcome all of you to GEARMUN ’22! Our committee deals with quite an interesting agenda,
and one that is not frequently used in the Bangalore MUN Circuit.
The Korean War, which began in 1950 and has continued in a state of armistice since 1953, has had
significant consequences for the Korean Peninsula and the broader international community. The conflict
has had a lasting impact on the political, economic, and social landscape of both North and South Korea,
and has contributed to the ongoing tensions and divisions between the two countries.
The conflict on the Korean Peninsula has had negative consequences for the development of both North
and South Korea and solving the Korean War would have important implications for the current world
order.
Some tips that I have for you are to firstly ensure that you and your co-del have have properly decided on
how you guys are going to divide your workload, I would also not recommend having pre written
speeches, a lot of the delegates are going to use the same resources and then your speeches will get stale
and repetitive. Please don’t leave your research till the night before. Online MUNs have unfortunately
gotten us all used to the culture of having google as a ready tool, but at offline MUNs when you’ve been
given a unique crisis or you’re being pressed, you’re not going to have the internet to help you out.
Finally, have fun and please, please don’t be boring. Feel free to be dramatic, to use props or elements
from your country to prove your point.
As your EB we will do our best to foster an environment of quality debate, to ensure that every delegate is
recognised and that you leave this conference with an enriching experience with a thirst for more as my
first UNSC committee did for me.
From you, I personally would like to see some healthy competition without just a few delegates
dominating the rest. Regardless of your allotment, there is a lot that you can do. However, to make sure
that this is possible, I'm counting on you to be enthusiastic, well researched, and confident. Believe in
yourself, You’ve got this.
I hope you find our background guide helpful, I wish all of you the very best.
See you at the MUN!
Regards,
Muhammed Hafesjee
Co-Chair
UNSC
Dear Delegates,
It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the United Nations Security Council of GEARMUN
2022.
We, the executive board, have selected the present agenda after hours of contemplation.
This background guide aims to provide an overview of the agenda and has been carefully curated to give
you an understanding of what we expect to see discussed in committee. This should, in no way, be the
sole source of your research. This background guide is only meant to help you kick-start your preparation
and is by no means an exhaustive list of the diverse subtopics that can potentially be discussed
While aware that this background guide will probably and should only comprise a small fraction of your
research, we shall commit ourselves to ensuring that it is written to the best of our ability. We sincerely
hope that this document shall aid you well.
We encourage you to approach this vast agenda with unique perspectives and innovative solutions. We
will be looking for cooperation among delegates to agree to comprehensive and concrete solutions to the
current geopolitical skirmish.
We wish you the best of luck and feel free to reach out to the executive board in case you have any
queries.
Regards,
Nandita Dey
Co-chair
UNSC
Introduction to the Committee
The United Nations Security Council, is one of the five (active) principal organs of the United Nations. It
is composed of five permanent member nations and ten rotating member nations which each serve
two-year terms. The five permanent members or the P5, were the major victors of World War II. Today,
the P5 is composed of China, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France.
Practically speaking, the most important difference between the P5 nations and the ten others is that P5
nations each possess the power to veto any resolution being considered by the body. This means that any
action which even one P5 nation disagrees with can be halted by that nation. Despite the power of the P5,
the other ten member states are still able to vote on all matters.
Resolutions in the UNSC require the “yes” vote of at least nine out of the fifteen members, so even if no
P5 nation exercises its veto power, passage is not assured.
A key aspect of the United Nations Security Council which distinguishes it from the other organs of the
United Nations is that it possesses a measure of binding power in its resolution. This is because the UNSC
alone is capable of using military power to combat aggressors. The UNSC is also capable of imposing
sanctions against various nations, which it more frequently makes recourse to than direct military action.
NOTE: This committee shall be functioning as a semi-crisis committee. Crisis updates will be given
throughout committee hours and will remain effective throughout the days of the conference.
Introduction to the Agenda
The contemporary world has seen a lot of transformation. From the European Imperial Powers to the
World Wars to the Cold War and even the battle between superpowers for Global Supremacy. The world
we know today is one of relative peace but one with more complexities. There are more than just a
handful ambitious countries seeking Global Power and amongst them are the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un along with their next door neighbor, the Republic of
Korea.
But how is it that two countries that share the same name, culture and practices are so different in the very
root of their geopolitical ideologies? How is it that these countries that were born from the same
motherland have rising military tensions against one another?
History
The history between North Korea and South Korea is a complex and tumultuous one, marked by division,
conflict, and ongoing tensions.
The Korean Peninsula has a long and rich history, but the modern conflict between North and South
Korea can be traced back to the end of World War II in 1945.
The division of the Korean Peninsula between the allied victors took place as a result of the defeat of
Japan, as Korea was a former Japanese Colony. However, Korean independence was ostensible as by the
time of the Yalta Conference, the Soviet Union retreated Manchuria and occupied Korea north of the 38th
Parallel and the United States occupied the southern part. The Soviets influenced the Northern Part and
spread their ideas of communism whereas the US spread their democratic and capitalism centric ideas
throughout the South. 4 years later, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 195 (III) legitimized
the ROK in the eyes of the UN and called for the withdrawal of both the occupying forces. As a result
both, the previously Soviet controlled North Korea and the United States controlled South Korea looked
forward to unite both the nation's under a common political power. However due to disputes and border
skirmishes the Korean War of independence broke out with the Korea People’s Army (KPA) of the DPRK
invading the Rok in 1950. As this caused massive devastation throughout the Peninsula, the United
Nations Security Council met amidst the boycott of the Soviet Union and condemned the aggression and
also deployed troops under the United Nations Joint Command to stop the invasion. With the help of the
UN, ROK pushed the KPA to the 36th parallel and recaptured Seoul. As the UN forces reached the Yulu
River, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) entered the war as an ally of DPRK with the consent of the
Soviet Union. Due to the lack of unanimity in the UNSC, the General Assembly worked out a ceasefire
resolution and a border was agreed to be formed at the 38th parallel between the two newly birthed
countries.
The Korean War lasted for three years, and ended in a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty, which
technically means that the two nations are still at war. The war resulted in the deaths of millions of people,
and left the Korean Peninsula heavily militarized and divided by a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the
38th parallel.
In the years following the Korean War, the two nations developed along very different paths. South Korea
embraced democracy and free-market capitalism, and experienced rapid economic growth, becoming one
of the world's most successful and technologically advanced countries. North Korea, on the other hand,
became a communist state, ruled by a series of authoritarian leaders, including Kim Il-sung, who ruled
from 1948 until his death in 1994. Under Kim Il-sung, North Korea adopted a policy of self-reliance
known as "Juche," which emphasized the country's independence and sovereignty.
North Korea also developed a cult of personality around its leaders, with Kim Il-sung and his successors,
Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un, treated as almost god-like figures. The country became isolated and
heavily controlled, with strict limits on freedom of expression and a pervasive system of censorship and
propaganda. The economy stagnated, and the country experienced widespread poverty and malnutrition.
Despite the stark differences between the two nations, there have been occasional attempts at
reconciliation and cooperation. In the 1970s and 1980s, both DPRK and ROK held a series of talks and
signed a number of agreements, including a joint declaration on the denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula. In 1991, the they also signed the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-aggression, Exchanges
and Cooperation, which established a hotline between the two countries and allowed for the exchange of
mail, goods, and people.
In the 1990s, the two nations also held several rounds of talks and signed a number of agreements,
including a joint declaration on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, these efforts were
often stymied by ongoing tensions and mutual distrust.
In recent years, relations between DPRK and ROK have been particularly strained, due in large part to
North Korea's nuclear weapons program. North Korea has conducted several nuclear tests, and has
developed long-range missiles that are capable of reaching the United States, raising concerns about the
possibility of a nuclear conflict on the Korean Peninsula. The United States and other countries have
imposed economic sanctions on North Korea in an effort to pressure the country to abandon its nuclear
program.
In addition to the nuclear issue, there have been a number of other flashpoints between North and South
Korea, including North Korea's human rights record, its cyber attacks against South Korea
Despite the tensions, there have been some signs of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between
North and South Korea. In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon
Jae-in held a historic summit in which they pledged to work towards denuclearization and the eventual
reunification of the Korean Peninsula. While there have been some setbacks and challenges, both sides
have continued to hold talks and take steps towards reconciliation, and there is hope that the two Koreas
may one day be reunited as a single, peaceful, and prosperous nation.
Timeline of Key Events
1945: The Korean Peninsula is divided into two zones of occupation, with the Soviet Union occupying
the north and the United States occupying the south.
1948: The two Koreas are established as separate countries: the Soviet-backed Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK), or North Korea, and the US-backed Republic of Korea (ROK), or South
Korea.
1950: The Korean War breaks out, with North Korea invading South Korea. The war lasts for three years,
and ends in a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty.
1953: The Korean War Armistice Agreement is signed, establishing a ceasefire and creating the
demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the 38th parallel.
1961: North Korea establishes a policy of self-reliance known as "Juche."
1971: The two Koreas hold their first formal talks, in an effort to improve relations and reduce tensions.
1972: The two Koreas sign the Joint Statement on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, in which
they agree to refrain from possessing nuclear weapons.
1978: North Korea launches a surprise attack on a South Korean patrol boat, leading to the deaths of
dozens of South Korean sailors.
1980: North Korea boycotts the Summer Olympics in Moscow, citing security concerns.
1988: North Korea bombs a South Korean passenger plane, killing all 115 people on board.
1991: The two Koreas sign the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-aggression, Exchanges and
Cooperation, which establishes a hotline between the two countries and allows for the exchange of mail,
goods, and people.
1992: The two Koreas hold high-level talks and agree to work towards the denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula.
1994: North Korean leader Kim Il-sung dies, and is succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-il.
1998: North Korea launches a long-range missile over Japan, prompting international condemnation.
2000: North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung hold a historic summit
in which they pledge to work towards the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
2002: The United States labels North Korea as part of an "axis of evil," along with Iran and Iraq.
2006: North Korea conducts its first nuclear test, prompting international condemnation and economic
sanctions.
2007: The two Koreas hold high-level talks and agree to work towards the denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula.
2010: North Korea sinks a South Korean naval vessel, killing 46 sailors.
2011: Kim Jong-il dies, and is succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-un.
2013: North Korea conducts its third nuclear test, prompting international condemnation and economic
sanctions.
2018: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in hold a historic summit
in which they pledge to work towards denuclearization and the eventual reunification of the Korean
Peninsula.
2022: North Korea has launched at least 92 ballistic and other missiles in 2022 — more than in any
previous year, some of which landed off the coast of South Korea.
December 2022: South Korea scrambles fighter jets and attack helicopters after North Korean drones
violate their airspace.
Legalities
There have been several key agreements, treaties and resolutions that have been adopted in an effort to
improve relations and reduce tensions between the two nations.
The Korean War Armistice Agreement: This agreement, signed in 1953, established a ceasefire and
created the demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the 38th parallel. The agreement did not end the Korean War,
but rather suspended hostilities and created the DMZ, which separates North and South Korea to this day.
The Armistice Agreement was signed by the United States, North Korea, and China, and was overseen by
the United Nations Command (UNC).
The Joint Statement on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula: This joint statement, signed in
1972, was the first formal agreement between North and South Korea on the issue of denuclearization. In
the statement, the two Koreas agreed to refrain from possessing nuclear weapons, and to work towards the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The Joint Statement was signed by North Korea and South
Korea, and was overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-aggression, Exchanges and Cooperation: This agreement,
signed in 1991, established a hotline between North and South Korea, and allowed for the exchange of
mail, goods, and people. The agreement also established a framework for improved relations between the
two Koreas, and included provisions for the establishment of joint economic projects and the promotion
of cultural exchanges. The Agreement on Reconciliation was signed by North Korea and South Korea,
and was overseen by the United Nations.
The Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula: This joint declaration, signed
in 1992, was a follow-up to the 1972 Joint Statement on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In
the declaration, the two Koreas reaffirmed their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula, and agreed to cooperate in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Joint Declaration was
signed by North Korea and South Korea, and was overseen by the IAEA.
The Agreed Framework: This framework, signed in 1994, was an agreement between the United States
and North Korea that aimed to address concerns about North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Under
the Agreed Framework, North Korea agreed to freeze its nuclear weapons program and allow
international inspections, in exchange for economic assistance and the provision of light-water nuclear
reactors. The Agreed Framework was signed by the United States and North Korea, and was overseen by
the IAEA.
The Six-Party Talks: These talks, which were held from 2003 to 2009, were a series of negotiations
involving the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the two Koreas, and were aimed at resolving the
issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The talks resulted in a number of agreements, including
the 2005 Joint Statement, in which North Korea agreed to dismantle its nuclear weapons program in
exchange for economic assistance and security assurances. The Six-Party Talks were overseen by the
United Nations.
The 2018 Panmunjom Declaration: This declaration, signed in 2018, was a joint statement issued by
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in following their historic
summit. In the declaration, the two leaders pledged to work towards denuclearization and the eventual
reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and agreed to take a number of steps to improve relations and
reduce tensions. The Panmunjom Declaration was signed by North Korea and South Korea, and was
overseen by the United Nations.
Resolutions of the UN
The United Nations (UN) has played a significant role in the history between North Korea and South
Korea, and has adopted a number of legalities and resolutions related to the Korean Peninsula. Some of
the key legalities of the UN that have pertained to the history between North and South Korea include:
Resolution 84: This resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1950, condemned the North
Korean invasion of South Korea and called for the withdrawal of North Korean forces. It also authorized
the use of force by member states to restore peace and security to the Korean Peninsula.
Resolution 86: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1950, established the UN
Command, which was tasked with overseeing the military operations of member states in the Korean War.
It also authorized member states to provide military assistance to South Korea.
Resolution 87: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1950, called for a ceasefire and
the withdrawal of North Korean forces from South Korea. It also established a Neutral Nations
Supervisory Commission to monitor the ceasefire and investigate any violations.
Resolution 91: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1951, condemned North Korea's
continued aggression against South Korea and called for a ceasefire. It also authorized member states to
provide military assistance to South Korea.
Resolution 92: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1951, established the UN Korean
Reconstruction Agency (UNKRA), which was tasked with providing humanitarian and reconstruction
assistance to South Korea.
Resolution 95: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1951, called for the release of all
prisoners of war and civilians detained by North Korea.
Resolution 96: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1951, established a UN
Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea (UNCURK), which was tasked with
promoting the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
Resolution 97: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1952, called for the withdrawal of
foreign troops from the Korean Peninsula and the reunification of the two Koreas.
Resolution 112: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1956, called for the release of all
prisoners of war and civilians detained by North Korea.
Resolution 117: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1957, called for the reunification
of the Korean Peninsula and the withdrawal of foreign troops.
Resolution 122: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1957, called for the release of all
prisoners of war and civilians detained by North Korea.
Resolution 137: This resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council in 1959, called for the reunification
of the Korean Peninsula and the withdrawal of foreign troops.
PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT:
As violence and disputes continue to take place between nations, civilians continue to account for the vast
majority of the casualties.
The fourth Geneva convention which ensures the protection of civilians in the time of war was adopted in
August 1949. Section 3 of the convention, sets out obligations of the state parties as an occupying power.
Current Situation
The tensions in the Korean Peninsula have been ever present since the Korean War, but the situation in the
Korean Peninsula has been more volatile than ever. This year, DPRK has been back to its antics and has
increased their nuclear missile testing to an all time high. Over the past month the DPRK has fired a
missile over Japan; a hostile and provocative act. It has launched several other ballistic missiles, flown
warplanes close to its border with ROK and fired hundreds of shells of artillery into the sea, which have
landed in a military buffer zone, created by the two nations in 2018 to keep peace.
There are three reasons DPRK tends to launch missiles - to test and improve its weapons technology, to
send a political message to the world (primarily the US), and to impress its people at home and shore up
loyalty to the regime.
In the meantime, Washington and Seoul have agreed to strengthen their defense of the Peninsula by
holding military exercises. The conservative government of President Yoon Suk-yeol was inaugurated in
South Korea in May 2022. Yoon is maintaining a hardline stance on DPRK and is emphasizing the
importance of the US-ROK alliance.
The invasion of Ukraine, which does not possess nuclear weapons, by nuclear-armed Russia would likely
have offered further stimulus for Pyongyang to strengthen its national defense capabilities, and unless the
United States decides to make significant concessions to DPRK, Kim will continue his current nuclear
weapons policy.
The two countries are still in a state of technical war.
Questions a Resolution Must Answer (QARMAs)
In this committee, we expect a fair amount of quality debate and discussion regarding the solutions to this
agenda. Although a unanimous resolution is possible, we are inclined towards a decisive plan of action
which we fear a unanimous resolution may not uphold. Here are some questions a resolution in this
committee should answer:
1) How can the UNSC prevent further development of nuclear weapons in DPRK?
2) How can the situation be de-escalated?
3) Should the six party framework be resurrected or is a new negotiating framework required?
4) Incase of escalating tensions, how does the UNSC plan to protect the civilians from casualties?
5) Is it feasible to initiate further negotiations between the two nations and if not what other
measures should the UNSC take to prevent further militarization?
The EB expects the resolutions to address the current geopolitical situation, border disputes, militarization
and nuclear proliferation.