Peters talks of free trade with Korea
New Zealand Herald, Auckland
Peters talks of free trade with Korea
27 February 2008
By Claire Trevett
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his trip to South Korea gave him the chance to broach the topic of free trade with the country’s new government as well as discuss North Korea with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Mr Peters spoke to Dr Rice at a banquet following the inauguration of South Korea’s President, Lee Myung-bak on Monday and said they discussed a range of matters, including Kosovo, North Korea and the year ahead.
He also had "a long discussion" with Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill who is a chief negotiator in the Six Party talks aimed at ensuring the denuclearisation of North Korea.
Mr Peters said he was confident the talks - which have been delayed while the parties negotiate over North Korea’s disclosure of its nuclear programmes - were still on track in the longer term.
Mr Peters, who visited North Korea last year and briefed Dr Rice afterward, said he had indicated New Zealand would help where possible.
Mr Peters also met South Korea’s new foreign minister Yu Myung-Hwan and brought up a recent feasibility study on a free-trade agreement between the two countries.
Initial talks are to start in April.
Mr Peters returns from his trip to South Africa, Zambia and South Korea today.
