Euro Parliament Nixes Visit to N. Korea

A delegation of the European Parliament has canceled a visit to North Korea scheduled for next month due to rising inter-Korean tension from the Cheonan sinking, Radio Free Asia said Saturday.

The European Parliament has sent delegates every year to both Koreas to enhance diplomatic relations among parliament members.

The delay was confirmed by an e-mail sent Friday by David Martin, a member of the delegation, to a rescue organization for those abducted by North Korea.

Martin said that after a broad consultation on rising inter-Korean tension, the delegation decided against visiting Pyongyang though the trip to Seoul will proceed.

The European Parliament delegation was scheduled to visit Pyongyang June 4-8 and Seoul June 8-12 to discuss matters on the Korean Peninsula.

Europe has given aid worth 11 million euros to the communist country this year through non-governmental organizations.

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