Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent developments regarding the leadership of North Korea [36097/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There has been intense speculation about political developments in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, following the announcement late last month of the promotion of Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of current leader, Kim Jong-il, to the rank of four-star general. The promotion was announced to the North Korean media agency following the Worker's Party congress, the first to be held in forty-four years. The promotion is seen by some as a signal that Kim Jong-un is the heir apparent to his father. Despite the ongoing speculation, there has been no official announcement of any change in leadership by the North Korean authorities to date. Notwithstanding this, China, a key interlocutor for the Korean peninsula and the North's closest supporter, issued a statement on 2 October pledging to strengthen ties with the new leadership. The United States has also issued a statement, calling on the new regime to honour the denuclearisation agreement signed in 2005.

Concerns have been expressed regarding possible internal instability in North Korea if the transfer of leadership, when it comes, is challenged. Such a development could have implications for the stability and security of the region as a whole and indeed beyond. However, I hope that any transition would take place peacefully and might even allow for progress to be made on a number of outstanding issues, including the stalled Six Party Talks. Transition to a new generation of leaders in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea could also be an opportunity for North Korea to emerge from its isolation and implement reforms leading to democracy and human rights for its citizens. The international community needs to be ready to respond imaginatively and generously in the event of such a positive development.