Norway’s Prime Minister at the border between North and South Korea

Norway’s Prime Minister at the border between North and South Korea
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg today visited the demilitarised zone between South and North Korea. He expressed strong concern at North Korea's nuclear and missile program and urged North Korea to launch new talks with the international community to dismantle these weapons programmes.

Stoltenberg is in South Korea to attend the Seoul summit on nuclear security, an international meeting held to strengthen joint efforts against nuclear terrorism.

“The backdrop for the Seoul summit is the relationship between South Korea and North Korea, in particular North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. This demonstrates how important it is to work for nuclear safety in the world”, said Stoltenberg.

623 Norwegians served in Korea during the Korean War in the 1950’s, three of them were killed. “Together with South Korean soldiers and troops from 21 other contributing countries, they made an important contribution by establishing the basis on which South Korea has developed into one of the most progressive and democratic nations in the world”, said Stoltenberg.

“The Korean War is also part of Norwegian history. Norway responded to the UN’s call for assistance and sent a field hospital that operated close to the front. It was important and right for us to take part in the defence of South Korea”, said Prime Minister Stoltenberg.