Secretary-General welcomes Declaration to strengthen inter-Korean cooperation

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the signing in Pyongyang by the leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea of a declaration to bolster cooperation between the two countries and promote peace and security in the region.

In a statement, he characterized the agreement on the Declaration on the Advancement of South-North Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity as a “major step forward to enhance inter-Korean cooperation as well as peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.”

Mr. Ban praised the two leaders’ “commitment to expand and advance inter-Korean relations, as well as to move towards permanent peace on a non-nuclear Peninsula through increased bilateral dialogue, cooperation and multilateral diplomacy including the six-party talks.”

He also pledged the UN’s support to the process, in concert with the international community.

Yesterday, the Secretary-General said he was encouraged by the announcement at the six-party talks – involving the DPRK, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States – on the next phase in achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

“Given the vital importance of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, these efforts deserve strong support from the international community in order to maintain the current momentum,” he noted in a statement released yesterday.

In February, an agreement was reached during six-party talks on dismantling the DPRK’s nuclear weapons facilities.