Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Country brief
Chronology of Developments in Australia-DPRK Relations
- 26 August 2008: Ambassador Peter Rowe, based in Seoul, presents his credentials in Pyongyang as Australia's non-resident Ambassador to the DPRK (previously, Australia’s Ambassador in Beijing had been accredited to the DPRK).
- 6 June 2008: Foreign Minister Smith announces that Australia will provide $2 million in additional food aid to the people of North Korea, via the World Food Program, in response to the deteriorating food security situation. This brings Australia’s total humanitarian assistance to North Korea in 2007-08 to $8 million.
- 31 January 2008: The DPRK Embassy in Canberra closes for financial reasons, its functions to be replaced by non-resident accreditation from the DPRK Embassy in Jakarta.
- 12 January 2008: DPRK Ambassador Pang Song-hae departs Australia.
- August-September 2007: Australia provided A$4 million in humanitarian assistance to the DPRK following severe floods in mid-August.
- 7-11 August 2007: Ambassador Geoff Raby, who is based in Beijing, visited Pyongyang to present his credentials, to encourage the DPRK to maintain momentum in the six-party talks process, and to outline Australia’s support for progress.
- 27 April 2007: Australia announced additional humanitarian assistance totalling nearly A$4 million to be delivered through UN agencies and the Red Cross to help meet pressing humanitarian needs of the North Korean people.
- 13 April 2007: In light of the DPRK’s lack of progress in implementing its commitments under the 13 February 2007 statement, Australia postponed a planned visit by a senior DPRK delegation.
- 11-14 March 2007: Following the 13 February 2007 six‑party talks statement, a DFAT and AusAID delegation visited Pyongyang and urged the DPRK to implement fully its commitments and laid down markers for resumption of the bilateral relationship and development assistance.
- 16 October 2006: In a further response to the DPRK’s 9 October nuclear test, Australia banned DPRK-flagged vessels from entering Australian ports.
- 10 October 2006: Following the DPRK’s 9 October 2006 nuclear test, Australia imposed additional visa restrictions for DPRK nationals with limited exceptions.
- 19 September 2006: Australia implemented sanctions against 12 companies and one individual connected with involvement in financing the DPRK’s development of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction programs.
- 28 November- 3 December 2005: Ambassador Alan Thomas visited Pyongyang to register Australia's concerns on the nuclear issue, underline the importance of the six party process, and to outline Australia's bilateral policy toward the DPRK.
- 11 July 2005: Australia announced a contribution of A$2.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the DPRK. This comprised A$2 million in food aid through the World Food Program and A$500,000 to the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation to combat avian influenza.
- 31 August 2004: Australia announced a contribution of A$4 million in humanitarian assistance to the DPRK.
- 17-18 August 2004: Then Foreign Minister Downer visited Pyongyang, met with President of the Supreme Peoples' Assembly, Kim Yong-nam, and Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun.
- 27 April 2004: Australian contribution of $250,000 to the Red Cross appeal for victims of the Ryongchon train explosion.
- 3-6 April 2004: Ambassador Alan Thomas presented credentials in Pyongyang.
- 31 January - 3 February 2004: Australian officials visited Pyongyang, urging Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun and other senior DPRK officials to return to the six party talks.
- 20 January 2004: Australia announced a further $4 million in multilateral aid to the DPRK to be channeled through UN agencies.
- 2 May 2003 : DFAT called in DPRK Ambassador Chon Jae-hong to express concern over the Pong Su incident, involving a DPRK-manned vessel implicated in the importation of 125kg of heroin into Victoria.
- 21 February 2003 : Australia announced A$3 million worth of wheat aid in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the DPRK
- 14-18 January 2003 : Australian senior officials visited the DPRK. They registered firmly with DPRK officials and Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun Australia's and the international community's concern about the DPRK's nuclear ambitions
- 25 July 2002 : HE Mr Chon Jae-hong, presented his credentials as DPRK Ambassador to the Australian Governor-General in Canberra
- May 2002: DPRK Embassy opened in Canberra
- 13-24 August 2001 :Regional Nuclear Safeguards Training course held in Australia, attended by DPRK officials
- 28-30 June 2001 :DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun visited Australia
- 14-16 November 2000 :Then Foreign Minister Downer visited DPRK
- 25 July 2000 : HE Mr Kim Pyong-hong, based in Jakarta, presented his credentials as the non-resident DPRK Ambassador to the Australian Governor-General in Canberra
- 6 July 2000 : Mr David Irvine, Ambassador to Beijing, presented his credentials as the non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the DPRK ceremonial Head of State, President Kim Yong-nam in Pyongyang
- 8 May 2000 : Australia resumed diplomatic relations with the DPRK
- 11 April 2000 : Australia announced a contribution (A$1 million) to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO)
- 27 September 1999 : Former Foreign Minister Downer met the DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun in New York
- 1-4 May 1999 : Australian parliamentarians, Senator Gareth Evans and the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, visited Pyongyang
- 19 September 1995 : Australia joined Korean Energy Development Organisation
- November 1991 : Kim Yong-sun, Secretary of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Korean Workers' Party led a Korean Workers' Party delegation to Australia
- April-May 1991 : An Australian parliamentary delegation, led by the Hon. Clive Holding MP, attended an Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference in Pyongyang
- 6 November 1975 : DPRK expelled the staff of the Australian Embassy in Pyongyang
- 30 October 1975 : DPRK withdrew its Embassy staff from Canberra
- May-June 1975 : Then Foreign Minister Don Willesee visited Pyongyang for talks with his DPRK counterpart, Foreign Minister Ho Dam
- 30 April 1975 : Australia established an Embassy in Pyongyang
- 31 December 1974 : The DPRK established an Embassy in Canberra
- 31 July 1974 : Australia and the DPRK established diplomatic relations
- 1 August 1973 : Australia recognised the DPRK
- July 1973 : Senior DPRK trade delegation visited Australia
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