A resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and calling for an immediate withdrawal was adopted by the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support.



Unlike the UN Security Council resolution, it is not legally binding, but as more than 140 countries have voted in favor, Russia is likely to feel considerable pressure.



The United Nations announced that it had adopted the resolution with 141 votes in favor, 5 against, and 35 abstentions, holding an emergency special meeting on the Ukraine crisis at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the 2nd local time.



As soon as the resolution was announced, many in attendance stood up and clapped and cheered.



Important items such as resolutions are adopted only when two-thirds of the 193 member countries vote in favor of them.



South Korea was in favor of the adoption and North Korea was opposed.



Outside of North Korea, only Belarus, Eritrea, Russia and Syria voted against.



Other countries close to Russia, such as China, India and Iran, abstained.



The resolution condemned Russia's declaration of a 'special military operation' on February 24, and said, "Territories obtained through the use or threat of force cannot be recognized legally."



In response to the recent directive by Russian President Vladimir Putin to strengthen the vigilance posture of the nuclear weapons-operating units, he said, "I condemn Russia's decision to strengthen the posture of its nuclear force."



The resolution "deplores in the strongest terms the Russian invasion of Ukraine" and "requires Russia to withdraw its troops immediately, completely and unconditionally from Ukrainian territory."



The resolution also reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.



In the resolution led by the European Union, nearly 100 countries, including Korea, participated as co-sponsors.



Western countries, including the United States, initially attempted to adopt a Security Council resolution condemning the Russian invasion and demanding the withdrawal of troops on the 25th of last month, but when Russia, a permanent member of the standing member, was blocked from exercising its veto, an emergency special meeting was convened to promote a general assembly resolution.



Although it is a non-binding resolution, it is evaluated to isolate Russia from the international arena and increase the level of pressure by passing it by a large margin at the UN General Assembly in which all member countries participate.