Vice Minister Kim Hyong Jun for discussions
4 July 2006
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will host his counterpart from the
Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), Vice Minister Kim Hyong Jun, for
bilateral political and economic discussions at the Union Buildings in Pretoria
on Tuesday, 11 July 2006.
Discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and his counterpart Vice Minister
Hyong Jun come within the context of South Africa's commitment to promote
South-South co-operation for increased market access, trade and investment and
consolidation of the developmental agenda of the South.
Vice President of the Presidium of the DPRK Yang Hyong Sop paid an official
visit to South Africa in March 2005 and Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad was hosted
by his counterpart Vice Minister Hyong Jun in the DPRK on an official visit in
September 2005.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Vice
Minister Hyong Jun on Tuesday, 11 July 2006, are expected to include, among
others:
* Bilateral political and economic relations between both countries.
* A briefing on the situation in the Korean peninsula with regard to the
non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear disarmament within
the context of the Six-Party Talks.
* Possible co-operation projects between South Africa and the DPRK in the
sectors of arts and culture, trade and mining.
* Other issues of mutual interest.
Bilateral political and economic relations
Subsequent to the hosting of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Durban in
August 1998, South Africa entered into diplomatic relations with all members of
the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) with which it had not yet established diplomatic
relations. As a result, South Africa and the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (North Korea) concluded diplomatic relations on 10 August 1998.
North Korea decided on non-residential representation from Dar-Es-Salaam,
while South Africa decided on non-residential representation from Beijing. On 5
March 2002, North Korea initiated the process of opening a residential Embassy
in Pretoria, and Ambassador Kun Gwang Pak presented his credentials to
President
Thabo Mbeki on 19 November 2002.
For the bilateral trade between South Africa and North Korea visit
Department of Foreign Affairs Website (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
Exports to North Korea consist mainly of mineral and chemical products as
well as prepared foodstuffs, whilst imports consisted mainly of textiles and
base metals.
During September 2004 a South African delegation visited the DPRK to honour
a long-standing invitation by North Korea for a South African delegation to
visit that country. The visit laid the foundation to strengthen and further
develop mutually beneficial relations between South Africa and North Korea.
During the visit a Letter of Intent on Co-operation was signed between the
Department of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the DPRK. This document should lay the foundation for the further
development of relations between the two countries.
In March 2005, the Deputy President of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea Mr Yang Hyong Sop, accompanied by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
and a delegation of senior officials from the ministries of trade and foreign
affairs of North Korea visited South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and
Mozambique.
The Deputy President Mr Yang Hyong Sop and his delegation were in South
Africa from 16 to 20 March 2005. They were hosted by the then Deputy President
Jacob Zuma and also paid a courtesy call on President Thabo Mbeki. In addition
the delegation visited other places of interest such as the Cullinan Diamond
mine and MINTEK.
4 July 2006
Media programme for official visit to South Africa by Vice Minister Kim
Hyong Jun of the democratic peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK)
Tuesday, 11 July 2006
10h30: Arrival of media for photo opportunity on commencement of discussions
between Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad and counterpart from the Democratic Peoples
Republic of Korea (DPRK) Vice Minister Kim Hyong Jun
Venue: First Floor East Wing, Union Buildings, Pretoria
11h00: Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad and Vice Minister Kim Hyong Jun commence
bilateral discussions
Media in attendance for photo opportunity
13h00: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Deputy Minister
Pahad and Vice Minister Kim Hyong Jun on conclusion of discussions
Venue: Media Centre Amphitheatre, Union Buildings, Pretoria
13h30: Joint press conference
Please present press cards
Parking on Government Avenue
For programme details contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
4 July 2006
Source: SAPA
