I am pleased to announce that Australia and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea intend to establish resident embassies in Canberra and Pyongyang.

On the occasion of the visit to Canberra by Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, we signed a joint statement confirming our respective intentions regarding the establishment of resident embassies. The Government of the DPRK will establish a resident embassy in Australia in 2001. The Australian Government will aim to establish a resident embassy in the DPRK in the 2002/03 financial year.

Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between our countries in May last year, Australia's ambassador in Beijing has been accredited to the DPRK, and the DPRK's ambassador in Jakarta has been accredited to Australia.

Mr Paek's visit and our understanding on resident embassies are important milestones in the development of Australian-DPRK relations. The early establishment of a DPRK Embassy in Australia will provide a channel for regular exchanges and facilitate trade and other links.

Above all, the development of these links will facilitate our dialogue on the critical security and humanitarian issues which continue to afflict the Korean Peninsula.  It therefore reinforces our consistent encouragement of the policies of engagement with the DPRK.

Media inquiries:
Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500
Lyndall Sachs (Departmental) 02 6261 1555