HC Deb 31 October 2002 vol 391 cc931-2W
Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government was informed by the United States Government of the latter's knowledge of the most recent status of North Korea's nuclear weapons programme; and what action has been taken by the United Kingdom as a result of this knowledge. [77221]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Like the US, we have been concerned for some time at reports of clandestine North Korean nuclear activities. The North Koreans confirmed that they were pursuing an enrichment programme for nuclear weapons in a meeting with US Assistant Secretary Kelly on 4 October. We learned of that admission shortly afterwards.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said on 17 October (full statement available on the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk) that North Korea's actions are a serious violation of its international obligations. We are assessing our policy towards North Korea in consultation with our friends and allies most directly concerned with security on the Korean Peninsula, and with our partners in the European Union.