North Korea: Government announces contribution to nuclear monitoring

North and South Korea meet in the DMZ.
North and South Korea meet in the DMZ. Photo credit: Reuters

The New Zealand Government has announced $200,000 will go toward monitoring North Korea's nuclear programme.

The money will go to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

It could be considered a small but symbolic contribution to nuclear disarmament.

The money comes after Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters spoke to Korean counterpart Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Monday.

"The phone call was a useful opportunity speak with Minister Kang about the on-going developments on the Korean Peninsula and to also reiterate to her that New Zealand will continue to do all we can to support this peace process," Mr Peters said.

"Peace on the Korean Peninsula cannot be achieved without complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. We want to make an early contribution to assist the IAEA in its current monitoring efforts and further hope that its inspectors are soon able to return to North Korea."

The IAEA is in the United Nations family. 

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