Hailing Pyongyang talks, Annan calls for support to bring peace to Korean Peninsula

Encouraged by the success of the talks in Pyongyang between the leaders of Japan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for the international community to support such efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.

The Secretary-General "hopes that the resolve of the two leaders to settle the past and address in earnest existing concerns, particularly of a humanitarian and security nature, would lead to a speedy normalization of bilateral relations," a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement, referring to the historic visit by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Pyongyang and his talks with Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.

"The Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, adopted at the summit, is a landmark contribution to regional peace and security," the statement said.

With the inter-Korean dialogue back on track, with family reunions becoming more regular, and with good prospects for reconnecting railways and launching other economic projects, the statement said the Secretary-General also looked forward "to a continued building of trust and confidence between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea."

"The Secretary-General believes that the international community should render its full support for these efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to the Peninsula," the statement said. "He also appeals to donor countries to help the United Nations' humanitarian and developmental effort in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."