DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

I am pleased to announce that Australia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to resume diplomatic representation on a non-resident basis, ending, from today, nearly 25 years of interrupted relations. Both Australia and the DPRK will move soon to appoint Ambassadors in accordance with normal international practice.

I also welcome the DPRK's renewed engagement in regional and international affairs. We were delighted by the recent announcement that the leaders of the DPRK and the Republic of Korea will hold an historic summit in June. Today's development in our bilateral relations, announced in both Australia and the DPRK, is a positive contribution to improved relations among countries in the Asia-Pacific region and to strengthening regional linkages. I trust it will also add impetus to the spirit of dialogue and compromise on the Korean Peninsula.

Australia's decision comes after the recent round of senior officials' talks in Pyongyang from 23-25 February 2000, the first such meeting in the DPRK since diplomatic relations were interrupted in 1975. It also comes after my meeting with DPRK Foreign Minister Paek at the time of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 27 September 1999, which was the first bilateral ministerial-level meeting since that time.