Improving relations between North Korea and South Korea have played a significant role in the further development of the latter’s economic and bilateral ties with Qatar, according to a top diplomat.
South Korea’s new ambassador to Qatar, Kim Chang-mo, who arrived in Doha three months ago, lauded Qatar’s support for South Korea’s call for peace, including denuclearisation.
“Qatar has continuously supported South Korea’s efforts for denuclearisation and for bringing peace to the Korean peninsula,” Kim told Gulf Times yesterday.
“Qatar has always been behind us; officially, they are always making announcements in support of our relationship and our efforts, so indirectly the improvement of North Korea and South Korea’s relationship had also helped improve our bilateral relations with Qatar,” he further said.
Kim also said that with “better and developed” North Korea and South Korea relations, “Qatar would have more chances to invest in North Korea, just as it had invested in South Korea.”
Citing the historic Korea summit held in April 2018 where leaders from North Korea and South Korea met for the first time in over a decade, Kim said many co-operation agreements were discussed by both countries following the event.
“After the summit, many working level meetings were held between North and South Korea to implement the agreements. During the summit, a meeting was held to discuss select projects for the connection of both countries’ railways.
“For these projects, we need resources and opportunities to infuse foreign investments. Another example is that North Korea has many underdeveloped areas, which could benefit from foreign investments, particularly from Qatar,” Kim said.
But while there are “many areas where Qatar could invest in North Korea,” the ambassador was quick to clarify that UN sanctions on North Korea still prevent the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the East Asian country.
“Because of the UN sanction, it is not allowed to invest in North Korea now. Actually, South Korea is preparing to invest in North Korea; there are many co-operation projects under preparation.
“However, the green sign will be possible only when North Korea takes concrete measures for denuclearisation and when the UN sanction is lifted. But it is still not possible to invest in North Korea,” Kim stressed.
Kim: Continuous support from Qatar. PICTURE: Peter Alagos
