To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to (a) Russia, (b) China and (c) the Republic of Korea (i) directly to Foreign Ministries and (ii) through the United Kingdom Ambassador to the United Nations requesting full implementation of United Nations Sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. (102324)

The UK is committed to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1718 (2006) in relation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Our embassies in Moscow, Beijing and Seoul, in addition to other key capitals, are in direct contact with their host Governments to discuss how the measures can be implemented effectively and fully, in line with the terms of the Resolution.

As a permanent member of the Security Council the UK is also a member of the Sanctions Committee created to monitor implementation. The UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations has regular dialogue with his Russian and Chinese opposite numbers. The mission staff have regular contacts with all Council members and with the Republic of Korea regarding the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1718.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the willingness of (a) Russia, (b) China and (c) the Republic of Korea to implement full United Nations sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. (102327)

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China voted in favour of Resolution 1718 (2006) in relation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Both countries, together with the Republic of Korea, have also reported promptly to the Sanctions Committee created to monitor implementation and have set out what action they are taking to implement the resolution effectively. The UK is currently discussing with key partners, including Russia, China and the Republic of Korea how to ensure implementation can be achieved fully.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the US Administration on a policy for containing nuclear technology in North Korea. (101577)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken to the US Secretary of State on a number of occasions over the last few months on issues relating to the handling of North Korea, including in the wake of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) claimed nuclear test. Both agreed that the test was a clear threat to international peace and security and on the need for a robust response from the UN Security Council. The subsequent UN Security Resolution 1718 (2006), unanimously adopted by the Council on 14 October, condemns the announced nuclear test and outlines sanctions which include a ban on the export to DPRK of nuclear and ballistic-missile goods and technologies, a ban on the export of arms to DPRK, a ban on technical assistance and advice related to all these items and a ban on the export by DPRK of proliferation-sensitive goods and technologies. The sanctions also provide for the freezing of assets of individuals and entities supporting DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes and a travel ban on those individuals. The UK is fully committed to the implementation of these sanctions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence her Department has seen that countries have sold ballistic technology to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. (101760)

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is not fully self-sufficient in this field, requiring the import of raw materials, specialised components and equipment in support of their missile development and production programmes, for both indigenous use and export. We therefore conclude that the DPRK has acquired missile technology from abroad in some form. It is not Government policy, however, to comment on specific intelligence matters.