Clark Criticizes North on Rights

Lee Hoi-chang, president of the opposition Grand National Party exchanged views on North Korea with Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand on Wednesday, with Ms. Clark reportedly offering a downbeat assessment on Pyongyang's human rights record.

Park Shin-il, Mr. Lee's special aide, said Ms. Clark told the opposition leader that the New Zealand government is "dissatisfied with the rights situation" in the North.

Ms. Clark reportedly added that New Zealand plans to donate $85,000 to UNICEF for education in North Korea and participate in nuclear cleanup in the North with the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization.

However, Ms. Clark added that New Zealand does not expect to begin trade relations with the North any time soon.

Mr. Lee responded by saying that unifying the peninsula is realistically impossible given the differences between the two Koreas. He added that engagement must be backed by firm security.

by Ko Jung-ae