NK, Netherlands set up diplomatic ties

North Korea and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations at ambassador level on Monday.

In a joint statement, the two nations expressed hope that through the diplomatic rapprochement they would be able to promote friendship and mutual understanding, Seoul government officials said. It was also learned that Netherlands ambassador to Seoul H. J. de Vries would serve as a concurrent ambassador to Pyongyang.

With this move, the Netherlands becomes the first country this year and the 136th overall to enter into formal diplomatic ties with the North. It is the 8th of the 15 European Union (EU) nations, following Austria, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Britain.

The Foreign affairs-Trade Ministry issued a statement Tuesday, voicing hope that the establishment of North Korea-Netherlands relations would not only help improve their bilateral relationship but also inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation as well as peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.