Australia welcomes progress in diplomatic talks between DPRK, South Korea: FM

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Australia welcomes progress in diplomatic talks between DPRK, South Korea: FM

(Xinhua) 20:02, August 19, 2013

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CANBERRA, Aug. 19 -- Australia welcomed progress in diplomatic talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea, including DPRK's guarantees on the Kaesong Industrial Complex and agreement for further talks on family reunions, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said in a statement Monday.

Bob Carr said in the statement that the Australian government welcomed these steps toward restoring diplomatic relations between the DPRK and South Korea. "I'm advised North Korea has guaranteed that it will keep open the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which closed earlier this year during a period of tension on the Peninsula," he said.

"And I'm pleased that the North has now agreed to talks on restoring the family reunion process, which it has prevented since late 2010. We urge North and South Korea to continue their engagement in the interests of rebuilding trust and enhancing diplomatic ties," he added.

The Kaesong Industrial Complex is an industrial zone inside the DPRK. The complex is jointly-operated by the DPRK and South Korean and employs over 50,000 DPRK workers. It was closed by the DPRK in February 2013 following tensions arising from nuclear testing in the DPRK.

Bob Carr said that Australia would maintain sanctions and diplomatic pressure on the DPRK regarding its nuclear ambitions.

"We strongly support South Korean President Park's call for North Korea to 'change course' and abandon its nuclear weapons and missile programs," he said.

（Editor：DuMingming、Liang Jun）