Australia, North Korea resume ties after 25 years

May 8, 2000
Web posted at: 6:43 p.m. HKT (1043 GMT)

CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Australia and North Korea agreed Monday to restore diplomatic ties, nearly 25 years after the relations were severed.

"Today's development in our bilateral relations ... is a positive contribution to improved relations among countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and to strengthening regional linkages," Downer said.

"I trust it will also add impetus to the spirit of dialogue and compromise on the Korean peninsula," Downer added. A cease-fire in 1953 ended three years of fighting between the Koreas, but a permanent truce has not been signed.

MESSAGE BOARD North and South Korea

Australia is the second nation this year to normalize ties with Pyongyang. Italy and North Korea resumed relations in January.

Australia and North Korea established diplomatic ties July 31, 1974, but cut them November 8, 1975, in circumstances that have never been fully explained. North Korea had withdrawn its embassy from Canberra and expelled Australia's diplomatic staff from Pyongyang.

Korean Central Radio reported that relations between the two countries had resumed at the ambassadorial level. The report added that the resumption of ties was "for the development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries."

Downer said both countries would quickly appoint ambassadors. In the meantime, he said, Australia's ambassador to China would act as Australia's representative with the North Koreans.

KCR reported that North Korea and Australia had agreed to mutually respect the "rights of self-autonomy and noninterference in each other's internal affairs, and the principle of equality and reciprocity."

Downer told CNN that Australia welcomed North Korea's renewed engagement in regional and international affairs, especially holding dialogues with the United States and Japan. He said his government was also pleased by the recent announcement that North Korea and South Korea would hold a summit in June.

Japan and the United States have also held talks with North Korea aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations, but accords have yet to be reached.

In a separate announcement, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Monday that he would visit South Korea from May 19 to 21 to discuss strengthening economic and political ties.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CIA -- The World Factbook 1999 -- Korea, North

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