MEDIA RELEASE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER

Media releases and speeches are available from DFAT via the internet.     http://www.dfat.gov.au/

FA55 12 April 2002

AUSTRALIA WELCOMES POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS

I welcome the agreement between South and North Korea to resume dialogue and re-start work on economic cooperation, transportation links and family reunions between the two Koreas following the  successful  visit  of  South  Korean  Presidential  Envoy  Lim  Dong-won  to  Pyongyang  from  3-6 April.

The  outcomes  achieved  in  Pyongyang  last  week  are  positive  steps  in  fostering  dialogue  and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.

Australia  remains  concerned  about  the  security  situation  on  the  Korean  Peninsula  and  has consistently  urged  North  Korea  to  respond  positively  to  President  Kim  Dae-jung's  policies  of economic and political engagement and reconciliation between the two Koreas.  Australia’s regular dialogue  has  played  its  part  in  broad-based  regional  and  international  efforts  to  encourage  North Korea to end its isolation and engage positively with the international community.

The Australian Government is also 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 $20 million to the organisation to date.  We have also hosted nuclear safeguards training courses for DPRK and regional officials.

Australia has also contributed $29 million to UN humanitarian appeals in North Korea since 1996, and continues to support training for DPRK officials in high priority areas such as agricultural and nutritional science.

Australia urges North Korea to reopen regular formal dialogue with the United States and address issues  relating  to  weapons  of  mass  destruction  (WMDs)  and  ballistic  missiles,  and  the  timely implementation of the commitments contained in the 1994 US/DPRK Agreed Framework and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).  I also urge North Korea to cooperate fully with  the  International  Atomic  Energy Agency (IAEA)  to  secure  an  overall  resolution  of  the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Australia will continue to engage North Korea in close consultation with our regional partners.

Media inquiries:    Matt Francis (Minister’s Office) 02-6277 7500/0419 206 890      Julie McDonald (Departmental), 02-6261 1555

