§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of North Korea to respect human rights and the conduct of elections. [47385]
§ Mr. FatchettThe UK does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea and no ministerial talks have been held. The question of human rights violations in North Korea was raised at official-level talks held in November 1997. Earlier rounds had covered our concerns at the consequences of personality cults and a description of the British electoral system.
The UK, as Presidency, also co-ordinated the EU's response to the DPRK's purported denunciation, which we cannot accept, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The DPRK has recently expressed an interest in political dialogue with the EU. We have replied that any talks would need to include the subject of human rights.