Myanmar FM visits North Korea
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
MYANMAR'S foreign minister arrived in Pyongyang yesterday and met his North Korean counterpart, more than one year after two of the world's most repressive governments resumed diplomatic ties.
Foreign Minister Nyan Win met his North Korean counterpart, Pak Ui Chun, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang after his arrival in the North Korean capital earlier yesterday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said in a brief dispatch.
The KCNA did not provide details.
It was the first official visit to North Korea by a foreign minister from military-ruled Myanmar in 25 years.
Myanmar's top diplomat travelled to Pyongyang after attending the Asia-Europe Meeting known as Asem in Beijing, a Myanmar official said on condition of anonymity, saying he was not authorised to speak to the media.
Myanmar severed relations with North Korea in 1983 following a bombing in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, by North Korean secret agents targeting South Korea's then President Chun Doo-hwan.
He was unhurt, but 21 people were killed, including four South Korean Cabinet ministers.
The two countries have been quietly working to normalise relations for the past few years, and agreed to resume diplomatic ties in April 2007.
Officials from the two countries have made some diplomatic visits since ties were restored. Myanmar's sports minister, Brig. Gen. Thura Aye Myint, recently travelled to North Korea. A military delegation led by senior military officers also visited the North earlier this year.
AP
Foreign Minister Nyan Win met his North Korean counterpart, Pak Ui Chun, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang after his arrival in the North Korean capital earlier yesterday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said in a brief dispatch.
The KCNA did not provide details.
It was the first official visit to North Korea by a foreign minister from military-ruled Myanmar in 25 years.
Myanmar's top diplomat travelled to Pyongyang after attending the Asia-Europe Meeting known as Asem in Beijing, a Myanmar official said on condition of anonymity, saying he was not authorised to speak to the media.
Myanmar severed relations with North Korea in 1983 following a bombing in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, by North Korean secret agents targeting South Korea's then President Chun Doo-hwan.
He was unhurt, but 21 people were killed, including four South Korean Cabinet ministers.
The two countries have been quietly working to normalise relations for the past few years, and agreed to resume diplomatic ties in April 2007.
Officials from the two countries have made some diplomatic visits since ties were restored. Myanmar's sports minister, Brig. Gen. Thura Aye Myint, recently travelled to North Korea. A military delegation led by senior military officers also visited the North earlier this year.
AP
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