Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/19/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NORTH KOREA / BRITAIN - L

NUMBER=2-268141

BYLINE=HYUN-SUNG KHANG

DATELINE=SEOUL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The British foreign secretary says his country will open diplomatic relations with North Korea for the first time. Robin Cook made the announcement en route to Seoul for the Asia-Europe Summit. Hyun-Sung Khang has more from the South Korea capital.

TEXT: British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook says the move to establish diplomatic ties follows an approach last month from North Korea. Speaking to reporters en route to South Korea for an international summit, Mr. Cook said London intends to give a positive response to that approach.

If ties are established, it will be the first time that there have been diplomatic links between the two countries since North Korea was established some 50 years ago.

Mr. Cook, without giving a time frame, says the first step will be to accredit diplomats with a view to establishing British diplomatic premises in communist North Korea.

Britain's announcement is just the latest in a recent series of diplomatic overtures to and from Pyongyang, after decades of self-imposed isolation. North Korea has been open to South Korean moves to end decades of Cold War hostility. The leaders of the two Koreas held an unprecedented meeting in June and agreed to work toward eventual reunification.

And in another bid to engage with the previously reclusive North, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says she will travel to Pyongyang next week. Ms. Albright - the highest-ranking US official to ever visit North Korea - says a possible visit by President Clinton will be discussed. (signed)

NEB/HK/HSK/JO