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South Korea on Tuesday officially launched"the Korean Peninsula Club", a dialogue mechanism involving 21 countries, to strengthen international communication and cooperation on issues about Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) ahead of the upcoming family reunion between the two sides, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
Diplomats from 21 Foreign Embassies stationed in Seoul, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, Finland, Italy, Mexico and Turkey, attended the opening ceremony of the club held in the building of the Foreign Ministry.
At the ceremony, South Korea's Foreign Ministry explained its recent policies towards DPRK, while foreign diplomats gave their comments and suggestions about dealing with the DPRK issues.
The Foreign Ministry said the ambassadors will have chances to visit the DPRK for meeting with its officials and citizens at least twice a year, which will help them to know more about the current situation of the country.
It is expected to serve as a venue to get useful assessments and advice on the DPRK, which would come from their hands-on experiences and direct contacts with DPRK officials, a senior Foreign Ministry official was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying.
He added that it was also a chance to boost foreign diplomats' understanding of Seoul's key policies on Pyongyang and ask for support from the international community.
Cho Tae-yong, South Korea's chief envoy on DPRK issue, will hold the regular meetings of the club, the ministry said, adding that members of the club will get together when needed.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry is also considering establishing another similar consultative body comprised of China, Russia, German, UK and other countries which have separate establishments in Pyongyang.
