To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the Government of North Korea about the arrest on 25 December 2009 of the human rights campaigner Mr Robert Park; and what assessment they have made of his whereabouts and health. [HL1334]

Our ambassador in Pyongyang is following this case closely through regular contact with the Swedish embassy there, which is the consular protecting power for US nationals in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Our ambassador has offered our support and assistance in its efforts to gain access to Mr Park and secure his release. The Swedish embassy has formally requested consular access to Mr Park but this has not yet been granted. It has been told by the DPRK authorities that Mr Park is in good health, and is eating and sleeping well, but not been informed of his whereabouts.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the recent visit to Pyongyang of the United States envoy, Mr Stephen Bosworth, they have discussed with the Government of the United States whether progress has been made in securing North Korea’s renewed participation in the six-party talks on security and nuclear disarmament. [HL1335]

I welcome the bilateral talks that took place between the US and North Korea in December 2009. Stephen Bosworth’s visit to Pyongyang was a useful first step towards North Korea resuming the six-party talks. There was a common understanding on the need to resume the six-party talks and implementing the 2005 Joint Statement on denuclearising the Korean Peninsula. The next step is to get North Korea to agree a date for a return to the six-party talks.

We have discussed progress with the US Government. Until North Korea returns to the six-party talks and makes verifiable progress on denuclearisation, there is no question of the international community lifting UN sanctions.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the Government of North Korea about (a) conditions in labour training centres, and (b) the use of capital punishment in those centres. [HL1382]

We remain very concerned about the grave human rights situation in North Korea and take every opportunity to raise these concerns with North Korean officials. We expressed our concerns on a number of human rights issues in the UN’s Universal Periodic Review of North Korea in December 2009, including the extremely harsh conditions of detention, political prison camps and the right to life.

As part of an EU initiative, we also co-sponsored the UNGA resolution in November 2009 to raise awareness of the human rights situation in DPRK including the extensive use of forced labour.

Both bilaterally and with the EU, we will continue to ensure human rights issues stay at the top of our agenda.