KOREA-NEW ZEALAND BILATERAL AFFAIRS

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THIS MONTH’S HEADLINES

JUNE 2008 ISSUE. 06-08

PRIME MINISTER RT. HON. HELEN CLARK MAKES A WORKING VISIT TO KOREA

KOREA, CHINA ADOPT JOINT STATEMENT ON CLOSER RELATIONSHIP

At the invitation of President Lee Myung-bak, Prime Minis- ter Helen Clark has made an official working visit to Korea from 15 to 17 May. She met President Lee Myung-bak and held summit talks at President Lee's office in Seoul on 16 May, and was the first foreign head of government to make an official visit to Korea following the inauguration of Presi- dent Lee in February.

During the summit meeting, the two leaders discussed the longstanding and close relationship that exists between Korea and New Zealand and affirmed their commitment to further developing a 'Partnership for the 21st Century' by deepening all-round cooperation based on common inter- ests. Especially, President Lee and Prime Minister Helen Clark agreed to promote high-level exchange between the governments and parliaments, to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and to collaborate in regional and global fora. They also agreed to begin discussions on establishing a bilateral free trade agreement. "President Lee and Prime Minister Helen Clark shared the view that a two-way FTA would be mutually beneficial in terms of economic growth and trade and agreed to launch government-level talks in the second half," Cheong Wa Dae said in a statement. Prime Minister Helen Clark invited President Lee to visit New Zealand in the near future and the president responded affirma- tively.

To view more photos of Prime Minister's visit to Korea, please check our 'Photo News'.

On 28 May, Korea and China released a joint statement outlining their new strategic and cooperative partnership, which calls for significant upgrades in bilateral exchanges of manpower and culture, along with cooperation in the areas of diplomacy, security, economy and social issues. The statement, which encompasses almost all aspects of Sino-Korean relations as well as regional and global issues, was unveiled following talks between President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in downtown Beijing. Accord- ing to officials accompanying Lee on his four-day state visit to Beijing, the leaders held in-depth discussions on ways to strengthen practical economic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of knowledge-based economy, energy, information technology, atomic power generation and natural resource development.

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Helen Clark (left) and President Lee Myung-bak (right) walking at the garden of Cheong Wa Dae on 16 May

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POLITICAL AFFAIRS

KOREA RE-ELECTED TO U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COUN- CIL

Korea has been re-elected as one of the Asia region's representatives to the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council, the Korean foreign ministry said on 22 May. Korea won 139 votes in the ballots conducted at the UNHRC General Assembly in New York.

"The U.N. decision to award Korea the seat reflects a positive evaluation of our efforts to improve human rights conditions while working as a member of the council from 2006-08," ministry spokesman Moon Tae-

young said, adding that the government will continue its efforts to contribute to international cooperation in the promotion of human rights.

ENGLISH BOOKLET ON DOKDO TO BE DISTRIBUTED WORLDWIDE

An English-language report detailing the arguments behind Korea's claim that Dokdo is legitimately Korean territory will be distributed to Korean studies scholars worldwide by the latter half of this year. Dokdo is an island located off the eastern coast of the Korean Penin- sula and is the subject of debate between Korea and KOREA, EU AGREE TO CONCLUDE FREE TRADE DEAL THIS YEAR

The contents of the Sino- Korean joint statement are based entirely upon summit talks held between President Lee and Chinese President Hu Jintao shortly after President Lee's arrival, with the two leaders agreeing to upgrade Korea-China relations to a strategic and cooperative partnership. On the economic and commercial front, the statement stressed that Korea and China have agreed to reinforce practical cooperation and bilateral investment in the fields of information technology, financial services, atomic power generation, energy, science and technology. The two countries have also agreed to continue to study the feasibility of a two-way free trade agreement on the basis of joint academic, industrial and government research activities.

Lee also met with Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Com- mittee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Confer-

On 15 May, Lee Hye-min, Korea's chief negotiator in talks with the European Union, reported "significant" progress in free trade negotiations. "We have made much progress in the negotiations, and share the view that a deal could be reached within this year," Lee told reporters at the conclusion of the four-day negotiations in Brussels. "Although there are some contentious issues to be resolved, both sides will continue to try strike a deal through continued inter- session meetings," he said. The two sides have agreed to hold the next round of negotiations in Seoul, but a date for the upcoming talks is yet to be decided upon.

Since concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States last year, Korea has held six rounds of negotiations with the EU in a bid to gain greater footing in the 27-nation economic bloc, Korea's second-largest trading partner after China. The negotiations, however, had made little headway until this most recent round of talks, as both sides have been reluctant to accept each other's demands on tariff reduction, rules of origin and, one of the most divisive issues between the two sides, auto trade and auto-related technical standards.

The EU's chief negotiator told reporters that the two sides "are convinced that on the basis of the progress we have made during this round, it is possible and desirable to conclude the EU-Korea free trade negotiations during the course of 2008." He noted that a number of issues are still to be resolved, but that both sides have agreed to accelerate the pace of negotiations. "We are all committed to the negotiations at the political, technical and every level," Bercero said. Bilateral trade came to $89.8 billion in 2007, with some unofficial studies suggesting that an FTA would boost that figure by as much as 40 percent in the long run. The EU is also the largest foreign investor in Korea.

Currently, Korea has FTAs with Chile, Singapore and the European Free Trade Association, as well as a partial pact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Seoul is also seeking similar trade deals with Canada, India and Mexico in a bid to strengthen Korea's export-oriented economy.

ence, and reconfirmed his bid to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear dispute through close cooperation with China.

President Lee Myung-bak (left) and President Hu Jintao on 27 May

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Japan, with both countries claiming the island as their

own. The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs

announced that the Korea Dokdo Research Center, together with the local government of Gyeongsangbuk- do (North Gyeongsang Province), commissioned a study about Dokdo Island and will have the results distributed to overseas scholars. The report, to be titled ‘Was Dokdo truly Japan's territory?' will center on countering the 10 points of Japan's claims over the island as set out in a pamphlet published last February by the Japanese foreign affairs ministry entitled '10 Issues of Takeshima'.

Takeshima is Japan's name for the Island.

Amongst the arguments presented by the Dokdo Research Center is the finding that an 18th Century Japa- nese map recognized Dokdo as Korean territory, calling the island ‘Seokdo'. This will be the first international distribution of an official booklet about Dokdo.

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

KOREA'S AUTO OUTPUT LIKELY TO TOP 6 MILLION UNITS IN 2008

Korea's auto production is expected to surpass the 6 million mark for the first time this year, with exports reaching a record high, the government said on 14 May.

The Ministry for Knowledge Economy said total output includes both domestic and foreign production, with the latter expected to soar nearly 40 percent from the previous year. As of last year, Korea ranked fifth in terms of automobiles produced and market share. The ministry said local production may reach 4.20 million units, with overseas output hitting 1.80 million. The former is a 2.8 percent gain from 4.08 million units produced inside the country last year, while the latter is a 39.1 percent gain from 1.16 million units manufactured in overseas plants run by Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. Korean carmakers currently operate auto plants in the United States, Slovakia, China, India and Turkey. More assembly lines are to open this year in China and India.

Export volume, meanwhile, could jump about 15 percent from $43.1 billion last year to an unprecedented $49.7 billion in 2008, fueled by improved quality and brand recognition in foreign markets. "Exports to North Ameri- can and Western European markets may edge up only 1.9 percent to about 2.90 million units by the year's end, with the slack being picked up mainly by greater demand in Russia, the Middle East and emerging markets," said a ministry official. On the domestic front, the official said sales may rise 4.7 percent. This prediction is based on the number of cars that have been on the country's streets for more than 10 years. Roughly 30 percent of all registered cars in the country were over 10 years old as of September 2007.

PRESIDENT LEE OPENS BUSINESS HOTLINE TO FOR- EIGN EXECUTIVES

The CEOs of six foreign-invested companies in Korea

have been added to a list of entrepreneurs given access to President Lee Myung-bak's personal phone line, on which they can call him 24 hours a day to discuss business difficulties, officials at the presidential office said on 12 May.

An official from the presidential office stated that this is part of the president's drive to stimulate foreign investments here. "With the additions, a total of 108 entrepreneurs are now allowed direct access to the presidential business hotline," the official said, refusing to identify the new additions to the list. He noted that the executives were selected on the recommendations of relevant foreign business associations, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea and the Seoul Japan Club.

KOREA AIMS TO RAISE TRADE VOLUME TO $1.2 TRIL- LION

Korea plans to increase its two-way trade volume to US$1.2 trillion in 2012 by expanding export capabilities and attracting more foreign investment, a senior policy- maker said on 16 May. Knowledge Economy Minister Lee Youn-ho said that the government will focus on increasing industrial and energy plant exports as well as reduc- ing its trade deficit. He said the building of overseas power facilities, refineries and other industrial plants could bring in $100 billion in 2012, up from $42.2 billion last year. The minister said such efforts should help push up exports to about $600 billion in the next five years while attracting $20 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). This would be a marked gain on the country's over- all trade in 2007, which reached $728.4 billion, of which exports accounted for $371.5 billion.

Meanwhile, President Lee has said that local companies should pay more attention to winning foreign government procurement orders and development projects, and told business leaders that efforts will be made to

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streamline administrative red tape for foreign companies seeking to invest in the country. Since taking office in late February, the Lee administration has staked its repu-

tation on fueling economic growth through trade and more business investments.

OTHER NEWS

KOREA TO BUILD UP PRIVATE YACHT, MARINE LEISURE SECTOR

Korea plans to build up its private yacht and marine leisure sector as a future growth industry, the government said on 14 May. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said the marine leisure sector promises solid growth and could help diversify and expand the country's dominance in the world shipbuilding industry.

It said annual worldwide orders average over one million boats and jet skis worth about $47 billion. The industry covers luxury yachts, motorboats, jet skis, sailing vessels and windsurfing boards. "The government is considering tax breaks, building more marinas and easing regula- tions on boat operations to fuel domestic interest and lead to greater production," an official said. There were about 8,000 private boats and marine leisure craft in Korea as of 2006, more than twice the number in 2000.

The ministry said the marine leisure sector is attractive because Korea has the basic infrastructure to make boats and related items such as engines and navigation and communication systems. At present, most of the value- added boats and yachts seen in Korea are made abroad.

The ministry noted that an active marine leisure industry could fuel new business opportunities in the financial, insurance and general service sectors as well as creating new jobs in manufacturing companies and smaller shipyards.

As of 2006, there were 1,400 dedicated marine leisure companies and shipyards worldwide, hiring roughly 930,000 workers.

MINISTERS, CEOS, INTERNATIONAL FIGURES TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF INTERNET IN SEOUL

Leaders and representatives of 14 international organizations, including OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria, who will chair the event, and Secretary General of Inter- national Telecommunication Union Hamadoun Toure, New Zealand Minister of Communication and Informa- tion Technology Hon. David Cunliffe will be among the participants.

“The goal of the OECD ministerial meeting is to create policies for economic growth via the Internet, so we suggested convergence, creativity and confidence as the main topics,” said Choi See-joong, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), which will co-host the meeting with the OECD. Choi will deliver the opening remarks on June 17, followed by opening speeches by Viviane Reding, European Union Commissioner for Information Society and Media, and Kevin Martin, U.S.

Federal Communications Commissioner.

The upcoming gathering is of particular significance for Korea, an IT superpower built on high Internet penetra- tion and advanced IT technology, since this is the first such meeting held in Asia, and is the largest OECD ministerial meeting ever.

The Korea Communications Commission expects that the meeting will set the international standards that will decide the future direction of the world's IT policies for the next ten years. The last OECD IT Ministerial Meeting did just that on the topic of electronic commerce in Ottawa, Canada, in 1998, when the Internet was still emerging as a major medium for communications.

At that meeting, OECD Ministers established policies for online activities in areas such as privacy, security, taxa- tion and consumer protection. In the ten years since the Ottawa Ministerial Meeting, the global Internet economy has grown remarkably, and the Internet has become a critical infrastructure, upon which the world depends to support economic growth and social development.

All 30 OECD member countries are sending their Internet and communications ministers to Korea, as well as 12 non-member countries, including Brazil, India and Russia. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, the KCC plans to debut the world's first Wibro-based Internet telephone, developed with local technology, during the two-day gathering. Other side events include the World IT Show on the theme of ‘Future of the Internet.' It will be held from 17~20 June by Korea's Broadcasting & Communica- tions Commission.

The Organization for Economic Coopera- tion and Develop- ment (OECD) Minis- terial Meeting on the Future of the Inter- net Economy is to be held at the COEX exhibition complex in southern Seoul on 17~18 June. Forty- two ministers from 37 countries and 41 influential figures from business and academic sectors will attend.

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INCHEON AIRPORT NAMED WORLD'S BEST AGAIN Korea's Incheon International Airport has received international recognition several times this year already. Once more, the airport has received a top evaluation. This time the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has ranked Incheon International Airport as the world's best.

IATA said its 240 member carriers from over 130 countries granted the Korean airport the highest honor of Eagle Award at the 64th IATA annual general meeting in Istanbul, Turkey on 2 June. The prestigious award has been presented annually since 1998 to recognize airports that provide outstanding service to their airline customers. In awarding the accolade, Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO, said, “Incheon Interna- tional Airport has led the industry in operational excel- lence, customer service and cost-efficiency improve- ments. It had the good sense to listen to its customers to agree to a reduction in charges.”

In 2007, Incheon proposed significant increases in charges but after a successful consultation process, a 3-year pricing agreement was reached that resulted in a 10% reduction in landing charges for the duration of the agreement and cost savings of $75 million for airlines.

“Incheon adopted a proactive and successful approach to a difficult issue. They are a shining example for other airports to follow,” Bisignani added. Following the award ceremony, Lee Jae-hee, CEO of the Incheon International Airport, said he and the airport's 35,000 employees would continue their efforts to provide the best possible service. The airport serves as a hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia.

Incheon International Airport is considered Asia's most technologically advanced airport with its state-of-the- art security facilities and cutting edge inspection equip- ment.

FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS RISE 12 % IN 1ST QUAR- TER

Foreign tourist arrivals in Korea increased 12 percent

year-on-year to 1.61 million in the first quarter, due mainly to the weakened value of the Korean won, the Korea Tourism Organization said in a report on 5 May. By contrast, the number of outbound Korean travelers rose only 3.9 percent to 3.44 million in the same period. Japa- nese and Chinese visitors to Korea totaled 534,678 and 294,962, respectively, in the January-March period, while the number of Vietnamese visitors surged 38 percent to 16,654. "Starting in March, foreign arrivals here have steadily risen and Korea's outbound travelers have been on the downturn, due to the foreign exchange factor, contributing to a reduction in the nation's tourism deficit," said the report.

ETHNIC RADIO FOR ASIAN COMMUNITIES LAUNCHED A multi-lingual radio channel for Asian communities will be launched this summer, servicing Chinese, Vietnam- ese, Tagalog and Thai-speaking communities in Korea.

Woongjin Group, a major Korean publishing company, announced on 12 May that its charity foundation will open a radio channel for non-Korean listeners starting from 1 August. After three months of preparation the new radio channel will begin broadcasting around the clock. The foundation plans to open additional services in Mongolian, Japanese, Russian and Arabic by 2009.

The new channel will focus mainly on music and cultural programs, and will also provide information on childcare, health and medical services, legal issues, job information and other important matters. The four-language service will consist of six hours of live broadcasts followed by 18-hour cycles of re-runs. Native speakers of each language will run the shows. The foundation added that the embassies of Vietnam and the Philippines, and other related organizations have promised their cooperation in securing music sources and recommending personnel in this area. The foundation, set up in March 2007 is dedicated to running a variety of educational, academic and cultural welfare programs. This is the foundation's first public project.

KOREA-NEW ZEALAND BILATERAL AFFAIRS

FORMER HEAD OF GRAND NATIONAL PARTY

VISITED NEW ZEALAND Foreign Minister Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Trade Minister Hon. Phil Goff, Minister of Housing Hon. Maryan Street, and Minister of Social Development and Employment Hon. Ruth Dyson.

DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NZAID CHAIRS A SESSION OF THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL ODA CON- FERENCE HELD IN SEOUL

In cooperation with the Korean International Coopera- tion Agency (KOICA) and the UN Association of Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea held the 2nd International ODA conference in Seoul on 3 June. About 500 participants attended the conference, along with high-level officials from international devel- Mme. Park Geun-hye, a

current member of the Korean National Assembly and the former head of the Grand National Party (GNP) visited New Zealand between 17 and 22 May.

After having a meeting with the Korean community, she visited Wellington in order to have meetings with Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Helen Clark,

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Mmd. Park in Wellington on 22 May

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opment organizations.

Ms. Jackie Frizelle, Deputy Chief Exectuive of New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) chaired Session II of the conference, under the title 'Enhancing ODA Effectiveness for the Millenium Devel- opment Goals (MDGs)'. Korea's Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan gave a speech at the conference, in which stressed the Korean government's inten- tion to continue to increase development aid until 2015 in order to accomplish its diplomatic goal of contributing to the international community.

AMBASSADOR LEE MAKES SPEECH AT NZIIA SEMI- NAR

On 29 May, H.E. Ambassador Joon-gyu Lee made one of five keynote speeches in a New Zealand Institute of Inter- national Affairs (NZIIA) seminar which featured a panel of

Heads of Missions from countries which have had recent elections. The other panelists were the Australian High Commissioner and the Ambassadors of France, Italy and the Russian Federation.

In his keynote speech, Ambassador Lee discussed the outcome of the 18th Korean Presidential election which was held in December last year, and the policies of the new government, including the government's foreign policies towards North Korea and other major neigh- bouring countries. He also emphasized the importance of the increasing relationship between Korea and New Zealand.

The text of Ambassador Lee's speech can be viewed at the Korean Embassy website.

(www.koreanembassy.org.nz, please go to English homepage).

UPCOMING EVENTS

THE 4TH KANZ BROADBAND SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN SEOUL

Under the title of 'New Service for the Digital Economy', Korea is hosting the 4th Korea-Australia-New Zealand Broadband Summit in Seoul between 19 and 20 June, in order to promote close cooperations in the broadband area among the three countries. The two-day summit is made of six sessions under the different titles and each country will make contributions by providing presenta- tions. In the opening ceremony, over 100 officials from Korea, Australia and New Zealand will attend and Hon.

David Cunliffe, New Zealand Minister of Communica- tions and Information Technology, will also make a speech.

WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN WELLINGTON

Marking the 58th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, a Wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington on 25 June.

TWO KOREAN FILMS TO BE SCREENED AT THE 2008 NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FES- TIVAL (NZFF)

The 2008 New Zealand International Film Festival will be held in 16 cities throughout New Zealand. Two Korean movies, "Night and Day" and "Secret Sunshine", will be screened in Wellington (Te Papa) and Auckland (SkyCity Queen St). For ticketing and more information about this film festival, please visit (www.nzff.co.nz).

"Night and Day" - Director/Screenplay: Hong Sang-soon (145min)

Wellington: 31 July (3:30pm), 2 August (8pm)

Auckland: 24 July (8:30pm), 26 July (8pm)

Director Hong Sang-soo creates intricate contemporary comedies of manners, his specialty being the feckless- ness of the modern male. This time, he relocates to the backyard of genre master Eric Rohmer: the cafés and apartments of Paris. Our protagonist, painter Sung-nam, flees Seoul after being caught sharing a joint with some foreign exchange students. For all his bluster about the City of Lights being an artistic inspiration, we never see Sung-nam so much as pick up a brush. Instead, he’s preoccupied by his relationships with four women: his abandoned wife; an ex-girlfriend he doesn’t even recog- nise; and two art school roommates who form the verti- ces of a lop-sided love triangle. Although Sung-nam behaves badly to all of the above, Hong assures that we’re never less than amused in his disreputable company. It is clear by now that he is a master miniaturist: this is one of his most emotionally rich works.

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"Secret Sunshine" - Director: Lee Chang-dong (142min) Wellington: 25 July (8:15pm), 27 July (12:30pm)

Auckland: 11 July (6:15pm), 13 July (6pm)

movie possesses the fullness and complexity of a great novel, revealing new layers the deeper we move into it. It begins as the story of a recent widow and her young son adjusting to their new lives in a small town that suddenly, without warning, becomes a thriller and then a Bressonian study in human suffering. Lee guides Secret Sunshine through these switchblade reversals of comedy and despair, darkness and light with remarkable agility… Jeon Do-yeon fearlessly navigates the movie’s turbulent emotional currents, slowly revealing the extraordinary inner strength and grace of a seemingly fragile, uncertain woman.” - Scott Foundas

The most admired Korean film of 2007 defies genre and synopsis. Its changing moods reflect the fortunes of the young mother at its centre as she repeatedly absorbs the impact of unforeseeable events.

Actress Jeon Do-yeon’s elucidation of her spiritual turmoil is incandescent.

“Lee Chang-dong’s (Oasis)

KOREAN WAR VETERANS

THE LAND OF THE MORNING CALM - As I remember arriving in Korea

by Mr. Barry Barnard

We smelt Pusan before we sighted it! The population had swelled to several million and the effect was terrible. We were all quite shocked with our introduction to Korea.

The ship pulled alongside a wharf, and we had to remain on board all day as our train to the north was timed for departure that evening. On the wharf, Korean labourer's were unloading railway wagons of spent brass artillery charge cases. The heaps of brass cases were enormous, surely no one could possibly fire that many shells in one war. I am sure that everyone thought as I did. "What the hell am I doing here?"

Eventually we left the ship, and were transported through the dilapidated city to the railway station.

Excited American military police told us that our train had been delayed because the train before ours had been machine- gunned, and we did not have enough ammunition to defend ourselves should we be attacked.

So we waited about, while ammunition and grenades were obtained from a British supply unit and distributed

amongst us. The sights at the station shocked us even again. Beggars were everywhere, and one limbless, ...."Yes limbless," creature lay on the ground, opening and closing his mouth unable to speak, but obviously begging for food. His one eye pleaded, but we could not help, as we had nothing to give.

Along the embankment above the railway line, refugees had built huts from cardboard cartons, and human excrement flowed down me bank onto the tracks. The horror scars began to form. The train carriages had only hard wooden seats and the floor was awash with water as the cars had been hosed out just before we boarded.

We had no food on the train, and except for me men at each end of the carriage who had to take turns at sitting up waiting in case of attack, everyone tried to sleep on the floor under the seats. This was done more for safety in case we were fired upon. My turn to sit up came while the train moved through the area where the previous train had been shot up. The air in the carriage was hot and stinking, so I pushed the window up and dozed off.

The wretched window came down with the most almighty crash that I had ever heard, and fifty voices screamed out the well known four letter explicit. No!

Forty nine voices, I was unable to utter a sound because I was so shocked.

Apart from that fright, the journey was uneventful, but few of us slept as we waited for the attack that did not come. As daylight spread, we saw the tremendous damage that had been done throughout the country, it was quite staggering. In the towns, almost every building was in ruins, and bridges and power lines were down all along the way. Wrecked trains lay alongside the tracks for miles, and in the larger towns, railway lines pointed skyward from the shell and bomb craters.

Around mid morning, the train load of hungry, tired and dirty soldiers were disembarked onto the cluttered platform of the badly damaged Seoul railway station.

Homeless refugees, had largely taken over the place as

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their shelter, and the local National Police treated them and all civilian passengers rather roughly. All civilians were searched as they came and went, because as we found later, many carried weapons and explosives to supply guerilla and bandit groups operating in the hills behind the U.N. lines. The first New Zealand casualties, were inflicted by such a group shortly after the original K-Force landed. We were taken on trucks to what was called the 'Forward Marshalling Area.' Again, we saw more terrible damage caused by the war. Ancient buildings damaged beyond repair, and the few more modem buildings showed, all the signs of street to street warfare that had taken place. The Capitol Building appeared to be fairly intact, except that every window was broken.

The F.M.A. had been a two storied brick building, but it too, was badly damaged. Here we were given a meal of warm porridge and bread. Not flash, but oh boy! We almost enjoyed it.

In the yard, there was a compound fenced off with

barbed wire and high netting, it turned out to be a hold- ing place for soldiers in transit to the main British Com- monwealth detention and punishment centre. A Kiwi inside the wire and obviously heading for punishment for some misdemeanour, said to me. "Don't worry mate, there isn't an enemy behind every tree. Just keep your eyes and ears open, you'll be right." We then boarded another train for a shorter ride to Tokchon where we were met by Kiwis driving open trucks to take usup to the sharp end. The drivers were wearing amber coloured snow goggles, even though it was mid-summer. This puzzled us at first, but we soon found why they were wearing them. The dust on the roads was inches deep, and as the convoy proceeded, the dust that rose from the wheels, made it impossible for us to open our eyes for more than a few seconds at a time. Soon we passed out of the civilian area and the dust decreased as the traffic decreased. Strangely, the whole countryside took on a more peaceful air as we approached the 'Sharp End.' it was unbelievably quiet! Not for long!

FEATURE ARTICLE

Memories at the New Zealand's Korea Desk By Charles Boulton

Charles Boulton was a policy officer for Korea (Asia Division) in New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade until May. He is currently in Seoul for two years of language study prior to placement with the New Zealand Embassy in Seoul.

Each week the direct Korean Air flights between Auck- land and Seoul are packed with people traveling for a huge number of reasons, including world-leading scien- tists, highly successful business people, film makers and film stars, farmers, war veterans returning half a century later, young people off on a more peaceful overseas experience, students, and migrants.

For the past two year’s I’ve been fortunate to meet many of these people. Working on the South Korea desk at the New Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided a great window into the linkages these travelers have built and are exploring between Korea and New Zealand. And much to my pleasure these people, and their businesses and organizations, cover a huge range of fascinating and ground-breaking areas, making for a very interesting working day! The Korean Embassy has kindly asked me to share my experiences from two years on the Korea desk, and the best way I can think of doing so is by talking about some of the people I’ve met.

Within the first six months of this job, I had the privilege to be involved with visits by two very prominent Kore- ans, Ban Ki-moon just before he became UN Secretary General, and a few months later President Roh Moo- hyun. President Roh came to New Zealand with several of his Ministers, and held a substantial meeting with Prime Minister Helen Clark and several members of the New cabinet. Observing and taking notes at this meeting was an eye-opening experience, and a chance to witness the highest level of diplomacy as the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen and deepen the ties between our two countries in nearly every area, while exploring how to work towards a peaceful and prosper- ous Asia region. There was no better way to learn of the wide range of things happening between Korea and New, of our highly complementary economies, and of the issues facing our region. Plus I got to be on Korean television, sitting in the back row, diligently taking notes!

A year and a half later, it was very satisfying to work in preparation for Prime Minister Clark’s visit to Korea, where she was the first foreign leader to hold a Summit meeting with new President Lee Myung-bak. Their wide-ranging discussion showed just how far the Korea- New relationship had progressed in even the short time

(Photo) Charles at Panmungeom village, De-militarised Zone(DMZ) in March 2007. North Korea is in the background. From left, Craig McIntyre, (New Defence Force, posted to UNCMAC), Charles, Peter Nunan (New Zealand Embassy, Seoul)

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PHOTO NEWS

Korean Ambassador to New Zealand H.E Joon-gyu Lee (center left), Prime Minister Helen Clark (center front), New Zealand Ambassador to Korea H.E Jane Coombs (center right) at the Ehwa Women's University

Prime Minister Helen Clark visited Korea

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Helen Clark (left end) and President Lee Myung-bak (right end) in the bilateral summit held in Seoul on 16 May.

since President Roh’s visit.

Prime Minister Clark’s conversations with President Roh and President Lee about ways to ensure a peaceful and secure Asia region made it clear to me that it is impossible to understand South Korea without also coming to know the issues, challenges and tragedies surrounding North Korea. The process to engage North Korea on a path towards denuclearization, economic progress, and political stability is a daunting one, but it has been fascinating to see gradual but promising progress over recent years, especially in the Six Party Talks. I had the privilege to meet several of the six thousand veterans who, as young Newers, volunteered to serve in the Korean War, as well as several of the New Defence Force personnel who continue serve in Korea under the United Nations Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC). Without exception, those veterans take pleasure, and even a quiet pride, in the phenomenal growth of the Republic of Korea from that devastating start, and the officers serving today remind us of the work that still needs to be done.

Today, when you meet a Newer in their twenties on the flight to Korea, they are most likely to be off on their Overseas Experience, that iconic New exodus. Many of these people choose to teach in Korea, others choose to study, work, travel, or just live in and experience Korea.

In the other direction (and in the greater number) are young Koreans coming to New to study, visit, work and live. A few I have met during my work include a devel- oper in New’s largest computer game company, a PhD student working in a group jointly researching photonics applications with Korea, a recent Korean graduate of Auckland law school pursuing an international career in

Hong Kong, and many young business people exploring opportunities for their own companies or their employer.

There are many bright and creative minds in Korea and New jointly engaged in projects in a variety of areas.

Science is one boom area, as our researchers and companies discover more and more areas where we have niche areas of expertise. The rapidly growing number of joint scientific projects includes topics from materials science and photonics to information and communications technology, and there are new areas under development like energy and climate, and food innovation. We also enjoy a burgeoning number of creative people exploring joint projects, exhibitions, and artistic residencies in Korea and New. Joint film projects are a big part of this creative and cultural interaction, and it’s great for me to have the excuse to take visitors out to meet Oscar winners and film makers at our state of the art film facilities like Park Road Post, Weta Workshop, the Henderson sound stage, and various film locations, all of which have links with the Korean film industry.

This small number of examples hopefully gives some picture of the different activities going on between Korea and New Zealand and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in both countries, especially the Korean Embassy in Wellington and the New Embassy in Seoul, get to work on day to day. It was an easy choice for me to choose my first posting as diplomat, and I am heading off to Seoul where I will be placed in the New Embassy, following language training. I look forward to meeting many more of the Koreans and Newers who get on that direct flight in order to uncover new opportunities and discover new experiences.

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ANNOUNCEMENT

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Auckland law school pursuing an international career in Hong Kong, and many young business people exploring opportunities for their own companies or their employer.

There are many bright and creative minds in Korea and New jointly engaged in projects in a variety of areas.

Science is one boom area, as our researchers and companies discover more and more areas where we have niche areas of expertise. The rapidly growing number of joint scientific projects includes topics from materials science and photonics to information and communications technology, and there are new areas under development like energy and climate, and food innovation. We also enjoy a burgeoning number of creative people exploring joint projects, exhibitions, and artistic residencies in Korea and New. Joint film projects are a big part of this creative and cultural interaction, and it’s great for me to have the excuse to take visitors out to meet Oscar winners and

Korean actress Ha Ji-won (Publicity Ambassador for New Zealand) shaking hands with a New Zealand official in the welcoming party at the New Zealand Ambassador's residence in Itaewon, Seoul, on 15 May.

Prime Minister Helen Clark visited the Hyundai research and development centre on 18 May to experience Korea's eco-friendly cars.

Prime Minister Helen Clark and President Lee shaking hands after the bilateral meeting in Cheong Wa Dae

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