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WELLINGTON: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday he has accepted an invitation to visit North Korea.
The invitation came from North Korean counterpart Pak Ui-Chun in a meeting on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum being held in Manila.
"I was happy to accept Minister Pak's invitation, as I want to see for myself how New Zealand might contribute to international efforts to assist development in North Korea," Peters said.
Peters said he was pleased the isolationist state had honoured its agreement to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor and allow the return of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"While much remains to be done, New Zealand is encouraged by the current mood of both North Korea and the international community to move rapidly towards implementing agreements reached during February's six-party talks," he said.
The closure of Yongbyon and return of the inspectors were the first steps in the February six-nation accord under which North Korea agreed to eventually scrap all its nuclear programmes in exchange for aid, diplomatic concessions and security guarantees.
North Korea confirmed that it would abide by the February agreement this month during a fresh round in Beijing of the six-party talks – grouping North and South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Russia.
No date has been set yet for Peters' visit, although Radio New Zealand reported it is likely to be this year.
- AFP/so
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