New Zealand–North Korea relations
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| New Zealand | North Korea |
New Zealand–North Korean relations refers to international relations between New Zealand and North Korea. Relations between the two countries have been almost non-existent since the establishment of the current dictatorship in North Korea. During the 1950, New Zealand fought against North Korea in the Korean War, siding with the United States and South Korea in trying to establish a democracy in the region. Since then, New Zealand has had little contact with the DPRK, until 2001 when the-then New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff met with his Korean counterpart Paek Nam-sun and shortly after diplomatic relations were established. New Zealand doesn't have an official ambassador to North Korea, so the New Zealand ambassador to South Korea also administers New Zealand-North Korean relations.[1] In recent times relations were relatively suspended after North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon, angering New Zealand who hold a staunch anti-nuclear policy, and posing a serious nuclear threat to both New Zealand and the United States. New Zealand has begun re-establishing formal relations with as of November 2007, when the current New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters took a trip to Pyongyang on November 20 to discuss possible political and economic deals with North Korea on the basis that it start dismantling its nuclear weapons facilities. There has been little or no trade between the two countries in recent years, although some exported products from New Zealand reach North Korea from China. This lack of trade from any country over United Nations trade sanctions on North Korea is the main contributing factor to the crippled North Korean economy. [2] [3]
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[edit] History
- Further information: New Zealand in the Korean War
The Korean War was an escalation of a civil war between two rival Korean regimes, each of which was supported by external powers, with each trying to topple the other through political and guerrilla tactics. After failing to strengthen their cause in the free elections held in South Korea during May 1950 and the refusal of South Korea to hold new elections per North Korean demands, the communist North Korean Army moved south on June 25, 1950 to attempt to reunite the Korean peninsula, which had been formally divided since 1948.
New Zealand was among those to respond to the United Nations call for help. New Zealand joined 15 other nations including Britain and the United States in the anti-communist war. But the Korean War was also significant, as it marked New Zealand's first move towards association with the United States in supporting that country's stand against communism.
New Zealand contributed six frigates, several smaller craft and a 1044 strong volunteer force (known as K-FORCE) to the Korean War. The ships were under the command of a British flag officer and formed part of the US Navy screening force during the Battle of Inchon, performing shore raids and inland bombardment. New Zealand troops remained in Korea in significant numbers for four years after the 1951 armistice, although the last New Zealand soldiers did not leave until 1957 and a single liaison officer remained until 1971. A total of 3,794 New Zealand soldiers served in K-FORCE and 1300 in the Navy deployment. 33 were killed in action, 79 wounded and one soldier was taken prisoner. That prisoner was held in North Korea for eighteen months and repatriated after the armistices.
After some debate, on 26 July 1950, the New Zealand Government announced it would raise a volunteer military force to serve with UN forces in Korea. The government raised what was known as "Kayforce" (K-Force), a total of 1,044 men selected from among volunteers. An artillery regiment and support elements arrived later during the conflict from New Zealand. The force arrived at Pusan on New Year's Eve and on 21 January joined the British 27th Infantry Brigade. The New Zealanders immediately saw combat and spent the next two and a half years taking part in the operations which led the United Nations forces back to and over the 38th Parallel, recapturing Seoul in the process. A total of 33 New Zealanders were killed in action, 79 wounded and 1 soldier was taken prisoner. That prisoner was held in North Korea for eighteen months and repatriated after the armistices. A New Zealander flying with the Royal Air Force was also captured when he was shot down near P'yongyang, and was repatriated at around the same time.
[edit] Human Rights issues
Information on the human rights situation in the DPRK is also difficult to come by. It is illegal in New Zealand to discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation.[4] New Zealand is a staunch advocate for Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific region. The New Zealand Bill of Rights outlines the rights of New Zealanders and has adopted and ratified a number of conventins in accordance with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.[5] The United Nations has adopted resolutions declaring deep concern at reports of systemic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in the DPRK in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. New Zealand co-sponsored these resolutions.[6] New Zealand's Bill of Rights grants various rights to all citizens, including the right to life and individual liberty, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and expression, freedom of assembly and association, and the upholding the status of women in New Zealand society. [7]
[edit] 2006 North Korean nuclear test
The 2006 North Korean nuclear test was the detonation of a nuclear device conducted on October 9, 2006 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark urged the United Nations to bring its full weight to bear on North Korea after it announced it had conducted the underground nuclear test. Clark condemned the test, Clark also said "it will back whatever measures the U.N. Security Council decides on". Winston Peters, the Foreign Minister of New Zealand, condemned North Korea's missile tests on behalf of his government, describing them as showing "wanton disregard" for the warnings issued beforehand by the international community. He expressed his hope that North Korea would "step back now from taking any more rash steps" and resume negotiations. [8]
[edit] New Zealand Foreign Minister's trip to Korea
New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters took a trip to Pyongyang on November 20, 2007. The Foreign Affairs Minister had talks with President Kim Yong-nam in his two-day visit to the communist regime. Areas of in which New Zealand is looking to co-operate in could include agriculture, training and conservation. The lack of trade to the UN-sanctioned state has led to the vast poverty-stricken regions in N. Korea, resulting in almost NZD$8.5 million of aid to various organizations that assist in the development of farming regions and humanitarian assistance.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ North Korea - Country Information Paper - NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- ^ Peters reports back to US on N Korea - 20 Nov 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news
- ^ a b North Korea - Country Information Paper - NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- ^ New Zealand - Human Rights
- ^ Human Rights Commission // New Zealand and the International Instruments
- ^ North Korea - Country Information Paper - NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- ^ New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 No 109 (as at 03 September 2007), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation
- ^ Beehive - Peters condemns North Korean missile tests
[edit] External links
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