North Korea–Singapore relations

North Korea–Singapore relations

North Korea
Singapore

North Korea–Singapore relations are bilateral relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) and Singapore (Republic of Singapore).

Singapore and the DPRK established diplomatic relations on 8 November 1975.[1] The DPRK maintains an embassy in Singapore while the latter has accredited an non-resident ambassador to Pyongyang from Beijing. The current DPRK ambassador to Singapore is Jong Song Il.[1]

Relationships between the two countries are warm and friendly if not active at the official level. However, there is some trade and investment in DPRK from Singapore, especially with consumer goods.

DPRK citizens could enter Singapore visa-free till mid 2016, when the rules were changed and North Koreans now do require a visa..[2] Singaporeans holding a normal passport can also obtain this visa waiver for both business and tourism after obtaining authorization from the North Korean government, allowing themselves to visit North Korea for a period of up to 30 days without a visa. [3] North Koreans occasionally travel to Singapore for medical treatment.[4]

International organizations

The DPRK and Singapore both belong to the Non-Aligned Movement, with Singapore joining in 1970, and the DPRK in 1976. The DPRK has also been a participant at the ASEAN Regional Forum since 2000, which is organized by ASEAN, of which Singapore is a founding member. The DPRK foreign minister traditionally visits Singapore after or before every ARF meeting.[5]

Official visits

The DPRK has organized official visits semi-regularly to Singapore, often in conjunction with visits to other Southeast Asian countries. In 2014, Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong visited Singapore.[6] In 2012, the President of the DPRK's Supreme People’s Assembly, visited Singapore.[7] Other DPRK elites that have visited includes Kim Jong Un’s family members Kim Jong Nam, Kim Jong-Chul, and Jang Sung Taek (deceased), as well as other key government figures, such as Pak Nam Gi (deceased).[8][9]

Singapore’s then Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Yeo, visited the DPRK in 2008.[10] Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Bilahari Kausikan visited DPRK in 2006 and 2008.[11]

Economic training

North Koreans also frequently visit Singapore for training programs on economic policy, entrepreneurship and law largely through Singapore-based non-governmental organization Choson Exchange’s programs.[12] North Koreans have a positive view of Singapore’s economic development and its political stability.[11] Choson Exchange is a Singapore-based NGO focused on supporting entrepreneurship in North Korea. From 2011 to 2016, the organization brought over 100 North Koreans to the country.[13] Choson Exchange was founded by a Singaporean, Geoffrey See.[14]

Relief work

Singapore-based disaster relief group Mercy Relief has conducted relief work in North Korea in 2012, following flooding in the country. The organization donated US$200, 000 worth of relief supplies following an appeal from the DPRK Ambassador to Singapore.[15]

Economic relations

Various businesspeople from Singapore have expressed interest in the DPRK market if it opens up, and North Korea has made attempts to court Singaporean businesspeople. In 2008, the Singapore Business Federation inked a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate business exchanges with the DPRK.[16] In 2010, Singapore ranked as North Korea’s 10th largest trade partner, with Singapore accounting for 2% of North Korea’s trade, and 6.5% of North Korea’s trade deficit.[17]

There is a visible Singaporean influence in Korean consumption in the capital: beer, soft drinks and other processed foods are imported from Singapore; supermarkets and fast food restaurants have been set up by Singaporean businesspeople.[18]

North Korea reportedly exports sand to support Singapore's massive land reclamation and construction needs.[19]

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 "Consular and Diplomatic List" (PDF). Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Countries/Regions Requiring Visa". MFA Singapore. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Visa Information". IATA. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "Is Kim Jong-un's Aunt Dead?". Chosun Ilbo. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "DPRK-ASEAN Archive". NK Leadership Watch. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong's Southeast Asia Tour Roundup". Choson Exchange. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "N Korea taking lessons from Singapore". Taipei Times. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "Kim Jong-nam Resurfaces in Singapore". Chosun Ilbo. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "N.Korean Princeling 'Well Looked-After' in Singapore". Chosun Ilbo. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "OFFICIAL VISIT BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS GEORGE YEO TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA (DPRK) AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC): MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS STATEMENT". Singapore National Archives. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  11. 1 2 "Singapore Diplomats offer Readout on Recent Trip to Pyongyang". Wikileaks. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "N.Korean Officials Learn Capitalism in Singapore". Chosun Ilbo. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "Choson Exchange: What We Do". Choson Exchange. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "North Koreans learn lessons in Singapore". Joongang Ilbo. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "Mercy Relief responds to killer floods in Philippines and DPRK". Mercy Relief. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  16. ↑ "SBF inks MOU with Democratic People Republic of Korea's Chamber of Commerce to spur business exchanges, trade and investments". Singapore Business Federation. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "An Analysis of North Korea's Principle Trade Relations" (PDF). IFRI. July 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "North Korea opens US-style fast-food restaurant - but don't mention the hamburger". The Daily Telegraph. 26 July 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "North Korea's Man in Amsterdam: Who is James Kim?". NK*NEWS.ORG. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
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