North Korea ‘must change’, delegation told

North Korea must address international concerns about its development of weapons of mass destruction and human rights abuses if it wants to trade with the rest of the world, ministers warned a delegation from the state today.

UK Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane told North Korea’s foreign trade minister Ri Kwang Gun that his government must resume talks with the US and South Korea if it wants to engage with the rest of the world.

Despite North Korea’s ‘‘axis of evil’’ status in the eyes of the US, British ministers are discussing opportunities for trade between the two countries and ways in which the rogue state can become ‘‘more open and business-friendly’’.

Mr Ri was in London at the end of a two-week tour of four EU capitals as a step towards progressing economic reform in North Korea.

But its multi-million dollar development of weapons of mass destruction and concerns about human rights in the country will block that progress, Mr MacShane said.

‘‘The British Government wants to see North Korea open for trade and investment and we welcome this opportunity for dialogue,’’ Mr MacShane said.

‘‘But progress must depend on North Korea addressing the issues of international concern, including missile proliferation and human rights.

‘‘I told the minister that we want to see North Korea engage with the rest of the world, politically and economically, but they need to start by resuming talks with the US and South Korea.’’

Mr Ri’s 11-strong delegation called on international trade and investment minister Baroness Symons, who welcomed the opportunity to discuss the potential for trade between North Korea and Britain.

Speaking beforehand she said: ‘‘I will stress to Minister Ri that North Korea needs to make greater efforts to create a climate more favourable to business, and this includes responding to the concerns expressed by the international community.’’

Lady Symons said she was encouraged by the success of the first UK trade mission to North Korea last October, which followed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations in December 2000.

The North Korean visit, which took in Rome, Brussels and Stockholm, was coordinated by the European Commission and focused on market economy and economic reform.