MEDIA RELEASE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER FA126 2 September 2002

JAPAN-DPRK LEADERS TO MEET

I warmly welcome the announcement that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will travel to North Korea to meet the Chairman of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 17 September.

Mr Koizumi’s meeting with Kim Jong Il is a significant step in building dialogue between Japan and the DPRK.  Such dialogue is also an essential element in efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

His visit builds on the July meeting between Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and her DPRK counterpart Paek Nam Sun.  It also follows the resumption of inter-Korean ministerial-level talks which resulted in agreements on economic cooperation, reunion of separated families and other confidence-building measures.

Australia has consistently and strongly urged the DPRK to engage in constructive dialogue with the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan as the most effective means to build confidence in North East Asia.

In my recent meeting with the DPRK Foreign Minister at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Brunei, I again emphasised the importance Australia attaches to reduced tension on the Korean Peninsula.

At a separate meeting in Canberra on 27 August with the recently appointed DPRK Ambassador to Australia, I reiterated the international community’s shared concerns about the DPRK’s weapons program and the humanitarian situation in that country.  I also reminded the Ambassador of the importance we attach to full and timely DPRK cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to secure an overall resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

The Australian Government remains a strong supporter of international efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula through the Korean Peninsula Development Organisation (KEDO).  Australia is the largest non-Executive Board financial contributor to KEDO, having contributed $22 million to the organisation to date.

Australia has also contributed $36 million to United Nations humanitarian appeals in North Korea since 1996.  We continue to support training for DPRK officials in high priority areas such as agricultural and nutritional science.

Media inquiries:  Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02-6277 7500/0419 206 890 Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02-6261 1555

