Canada - Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) has long been a destabilizing element in the Asia Pacific region. Nonetheless, Canada considers that, over the long term, engagement offers the best prospects for integrating North Korea into the international community of nations. In February 2001, Canada established diplomatic relations with the DPRK as a means of furthering good governance and the promotion of human rights. Following the DPRK's October 2002 admission that it was pursuing a secret uranium-enrichment program, Canada placed bilateral relations on a "not business as usual" footing, precluding formalized senior-level meetings or other intensification of the relationship.

This policy was adjusted in September 2005 to allow for small-scale, grassroots-level capacity-building and training initiatives in support of the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement signed at the Six Party Talks. However, following the DPRK’s missile and nuclear tests in 2006, even this modest engagement policy was put on hold, reflecting the limits on Canada’s willingness to interact with and assist the DPRK while it pursues a nuclear weapons program. In 2007, the Six Party February 13 agreement opened the way to progress on denuclearisation. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified the shutdown of nuclear facilities at Yongbyon in North Korea in mid-July and in October 2007, North Korea undertook to disable the Yongbyon nuclear facilities and to provide a complete declaration of all its nuclear programs by the end of 2007. In light of the progress in the Six Party Talks, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs approved an adjustment in Canadian policy to allow for greater engagement with North Korea which would permit Canada to promote full denuclearization and advance long-term goals such as political reform, improved human rights and regional security. The scope of Canada’s engagement , nonetheless, remains contingent on the continuing progress in resolving the nuclear crisis.

Canada actively supports the Six Party Talks as the best means to address the North Korean nuclear crisis. Non-proliferation and arms control remain Canada's primary considerations in regard to the DPRK. Canada’s ultimate aim is for North Korea to resume adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and comply fully with its comprehensive nuclear safeguards agreement with the IAEA.

Human Security and Human Rights

Deeply concerned over the plight of the North Korean population, Canada has, since 1997, provided both food and non-food humanitarian assistance to North Korea through reputable international partners and Canadian non-governmental organizations. Canada has also regularly raised issues of human rights and human security with North Korean officials, urging North Korea to abide by international human rights standards and to allow visits by UN Special Procedures, as well as encouraging North Korea to participate in the Plurilateral Symposium on Human Rights co-sponsored by Canada.

At present, Canada provides only humanitarian aid to the DPRK, where the provision of such assistance is considered appropriate. The introduction of a development assistance plan is contingent on progress in addressing the nuclear crisis.

The Canadian Ambassador resident in Seoul is accredited to the DPRK, while North Korea's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York is accredited to Canada.

July 2009

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