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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the prospects for the reunification of Korea; [149906] (2) if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Joint Declaration between North and South Korea. [149907] Mr. Battle: The UK welcomed the signing by President Kim Dae-Jung and Chairman Kim Jong Il of a joint declaration on reunification, family reunions, economic co-operation and future dialogue when they met in Pyongyang in June last year. North-south dialogue on implementing the joint declaration has continued to develop since the summit. So far there have been four rounds of ministerial level talks and five rounds of military contacts. Land mine clearance operations are under way and a road and rail link across the demilitarised zone is being rebuilt. Three rounds of talks between the Red Cross societies on both sides have resulted in two rounds of separated family visits with a further round scheduled for the end of February. Commercial links have continued to develop in a number of sectors, including the signature of investment protection and double taxation agreements. Both the ROK and DPRK have continued to express their commitment to further reconciliation and to eventual reunification. It was in support of these positive developments that the UK established diplomatic relations with the DPRK in December. However, long-term improvement of north- south relations also depends on the eventual resolution of issues such as human rights, WMD, nuclear proliferation, and the development and exports of missiles. Establishing diplomatic relations with the DPRK should provide a more effective channel for pressing UK concerns on these issues.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

363 c261-2W; 149906;149907

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Borders Foreign relations Diplomatic relations Peace negotiations North Korea South Korea

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk