Korea (Hansard, 18 January 1993)

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton

The requirement for the continued deployment of a platoon of British troops for the UN honour guard in Korea has been reviewed in the light of the gradual withdrawal of the garrison from Hong Kong, "Options for Change", and the considerably changed global commitments which British armed forces now face in the 1990s. With these considerations in mind, and in view also of the progress which has been made in easing links between the Republic of Korea and North Korea, it has been decided that the British contingent of the UN honour guard, currently comprising one officer and 36 men, drawn from the Hong Kong garrison, will be withdrawn by 15 March 1993. The four British personnel who form part of the Commonwealth liaison mission in Seoul will follow within approximately two months.

The United Kingdom has consistently supported efforts to bring about reconciliation on the Korean peninsula; we continue to do so and have welcomed the moves which both sides have made to this end since prime ministerial talks began in September 1991. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of these troops, our membership of the United Nations Command, and of the Military Armistice Commission in Korea remains unchanged. This move does not imply any lessening of our efforts to urge the government of North Korea to take further steps towards a peaceful reconciliaton with South Korea, including full co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Authority and the full implementation of a bilateral north-south inspection regime.