According to a note to correspondents issued by the UN Spokesman's office, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman visited the East Asian country from 5 to 8 December 2017, and exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula with Foreign Affairs Minister Ri Yong Ho and Vice Foreign Affairs Minister Pak Myong Guk.

The note said they “agreed that the current situation is the most tense and dangerous peace and security issue in the world today.”

During the visit, Mr. Feltman noted the urgent need to prevent miscalculations and open channels to reduce the risks of conflict, underlining that the international community is committed to the achievement of a peaceful solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Mr. Feltman also emphasized the need for the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions, and stressed that there can only be a diplomatic solution to the situation, achieved through a process of sincere dialogue.

Mr. Feltman also met with the United Nations Country Team and members of the diplomatic corps, and visited UN project sites, including a children's foodstuff factory, TB prevention institute, breast tumour institute, and paediatric hospital. During the site visits, he learned about the UN's life-saving work on the ground as well as the challenges in procurement and funding gaps.