Hyong Jun for discussions
10 July 2006
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will on Tuesday, 11 July 2006 host his
counterpart from the Democratic Peopleâs Republic of Korea (DPRK), Vice
Minister Kim Hyong Jun for bilateral political and economic discussions at the
Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and his counterpart Vice Minister
Hyong Jun come within the context of South Africaâs 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 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.
The bilateral trade between South Africa and North Korea is as
follows:
2002: Imports from N Korea - R13 271 000; Exports to N Korea - R 72
748 000; Total - R86, 019, 000
2003: Imports from N Korea - R455 000; Exports to N Korea - R 39 489 000; Total
- R39 944 000
2004: Imports from N Korea - R4 941 000; Exports to N Korea - R 7 541 000;
Total - R2 600 000
2005: Imports from N Korea - R9 732 000; Exports to N Korea - R46 438 000;
Total - R36 706 000
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. 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 Peopleâs 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.
Media programme for official visit to South Africa by Vice Minister Kim
Hyong Jun of the Democratic Peoplesâ 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
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)
Contact: Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
10 July 2006
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
10 July 2006
