



By Jung Da-min







North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song criticized Israel over its illegal occupation of Palestine, in an unusual appearance at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting Tuesday.







The UNSC meeting took place as prospects for a viable state of Palestine dwindled with the expansion of Israel's settlements on the West Bank amid continuing violence.







About 50 speakers, including council members and non-members, attended.







Kim also made a speech during the meeting.





"Kim Song (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said Israel's settlement expansion, blockade of Gaza and suppression of peaceful Palestinian protesters are serious challenges to Palestinians' establishment of an independent state," read the

of the meeting on the U.N. website. "He called for implementation of Council resolution 2334 (2016), among others adopted by the General Assembly, as well as a halt to settlement expansion."







U.N. Resolution 2334 was about the Israeli settlements in "Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem," and demanded that "Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities."







Kim said North Korea stands in solidarity with Syrians in their efforts to regain the occupied Syrian Golan.







The North Korean ambassador's unusual attendance at the UNSC meeting over the issue in the Middle East is seen as the country's effort to expand its presence in international diplomacy.







Kim also blamed some permanent members of the UNSC for supporting Israel, calling it a "double-standard attitude." He said the countries involved should resolve controversial issues through dialogue, without outside interference, in an apparent reference to the U.S., Israel's close ally.





