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Myanmar and N Korea restore ties
Restoration of relations after a 24 year gap raises eyebrows among exile groups.
Last Modified: 26 Apr 2007 10:28 GMT

Exile groups say Myanmar has reconciled because it wants N Korean nuclear technology [Reuters]

Myanmar and North Korea have restored diplomatic ties 24 years after Yangon broke them off in protest at agents blowing up a South Korean government delegation visiting the former Burma.

"North Korea and Myanmar have formally signed an agreement to restore diplomatic ties," Kyaw Thu, Myanmar's deputy foreign minister, told reporters.

In SeoulSouth Korea's capital, a foreign ministry official, said the government respected Myanmar's decision.

 

"Furthermore, we hope this restoration will lead to the opening of North Korea and hope it will contribute to pea

Exile groups, who oppose the military junta in Myanmar, have suggested that Yangon has buried the hatchet because it wants to get its hands on North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile technology.

   

Nuclear technology

 

However, analysts dismiss this, and say the explanation could be as innocent as two left-leaning, secretive Asian countries with few other friends wanting to have a proper relationship.

   

Neither country, among the poorest and most isolated in the world and both subject to Western sanctions has shed any light on the reasons for the reconciliation.

   

"There are two levels to this: one is that the Burmese are normalising an abnormal diplomatic situation; the other that they are expecting to get something out of it - either in weapons or technology," said Trevor Wilson, a former Australian ambassador.

 

In 1983, more than 20 people, including four visiting South Korean ministers, were killed when North Korean agents said to have direct links to current leader Kim Jong-Il blew up a major Yangon landmark.
Source:
Agencies
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