11 April 2000
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr N.C. Dlamini-Zuma strongly welcomes the announcement on 10 April 2000 of the conclusion of an agreement between the Republic of Korea (ROC) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that, at the invitation of National Defence Committee Chairman Kim Jong-II, President Kim Dae-Jung will visit Pyongyang, North Korea, from 12-14 June 2000. The South African Government would like to commend both Korean leaders for their visionary leadership and pragmatism in agreeing to this first-ever meeting between leaders of the two governments in more than five decades. The last such meeting took place in 1945.
The South African Government, which has cordial relations with both governments, is of the view that a summit meeting between the two leaders should be strongly supported. This event could be a historical breakthrough that could signal the start of stability, peace, economic development and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
P/BAG 152
Pretoria