TNAG-1156-FCO40-1436-Visits-by-FCO-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 153

NT MON

BRITISH EMBASSY

15 January 1982

041/2

The Rt Hon The Lord Carrington PC, KCMG MC

LONDON

SEOUL

Mr Lord

1. I have the honour to report that the Lord Privy Seal and Mrs Humphrey Atkins, accompanied by Mr T R Arnold MP, Mr A E Donald CMG and Mr R Westbrook, paid a visit to Korea from 10-13 January. A copy of their programme is enclosed.

2. Mr Atkins met the President, the Foreign Minister and

He the Minister of National Defence and other officials. also called on the Commander of the United Nations forces and visited the Demilitarised Zone at Panmunjon.

3. Mr Atkins is the first Cabinet Minister to visit Korea since July 1980 whereas 5 Korean Cabinet Ministers visited the United Kingdom in 1981. The atmosphere of the visit was most cordial. All the Ministers expressed gratitude for our support, both during the Korean War and on subsequent political issues.

4. The Koreans were particularly interested that the Lord Privy Seal came from China and their main concern was to ascertain whether there had been any development in the Chinese position regarding Korea. The Lord Privy Seal told

The other main them that he had not detected any change. topics were whether Korea could continue to rely on the support of the United Kingdom in international fora. and whether we would maintain our policy of refusing reoognition of North Korea. Mr Atkins gave assurances on both points and also confirmed that we continue to support President Chun's proposals for talks with North Korean leaders.

5. The visit was timely in that it gave an opportunity to express appreciation to the Koreans that British firms had been given a letter of intent for the contract for the extension of the Seoul underground system.

6.

Mrs Atkins had a separate programme which included a call on the President's wife and a visit to the YWCA.

7. At the close of the visit the Lord Privy Seal gave a well attended press conference. The text of his statement is enclosed. There has been wide and enthusiastic press and

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