Australian development assistance to North Korea was suspended in late 2002 over concerns about the DPRK's nuclear weapons programs; and it remains suspended. However, in view of the desperate living conditions in North Korea, including severe food shortages exacerbated by recurrent floods, Australia has continued to provide humanitarian and emergency relief.
Since 2002 we have given close to $30 million to UN and international humanitarian agencies to address critical needs for food relief, health, water and sanitation, and disaster preparedness in North Korea. This assistance has been free of any linkage to the nuclear issue and has enabled Australian officials to visit the DPRK on monitoring missions and consult with UN partners and North Korean authorities.
Over the last year there has been progress on a negotiated resolution to the nuclear issue. At talks between the Six Parties that are engaged in this process, the DPRK agreed to disable its nuclear facilities at Yongbyon and make a full declaration of its nuclear programs by 31 December 2007.
The Australian Government has emphasised to the DPRK that it is ready to support substantial progress in the Six-Party talks process through the provision of assistance, including bilateral development assistance. This assistance will be delivered in a manner consistent with our obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1718 and will be contingent on continued DPRK progress towards denuclearisation.
8 November 2007