Historie

The Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula is a relatively young delegation for the European Parliament: it was created in 2004, at the beginning of the Parliament's sixth legislative term (2004-2009).

Before 2004, the Parliament's efforts to engage with South Korea were the work of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia, ASEAN and the Republic of Korea. North Korean affairs were mainly addressed in the Foreign Affairs Committee, which sometimes sent ad hoc delegations to meet with representatives from the country.

The desire to create a dedicated delegation in 2004 was motivated by the European Parliament's increasing attention to the Korean Peninsula.

Relations with the North

In its early years, the delegation's efforts to keep the channels of communication with North Korea open led to a number of meetings with DPRK officials. The delegation travelled to Pyongyang in 2005, in 2007 (twice), 2008, 2011 and 2018. Representatives of the DPRK travelled to Brussels in 2006 in 2007.

This delegation's willingness to constructively - and critically - engage with the DPRK was gradually eroded by developments in the country, particularly the human rights situation and, more recently, the country's nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

In spite of these problems and in line with requests from counterparts in the region, the European Parliament has tried to keep its channels of communication with North Korea open.

Relations with the South

Meanwhile, the relation with Seoul has blossomed since the delegation was established. An EU-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2010, provisionally applied since July 2011 and formally ratified in December 2015.

The Agreement marked a milestone for the EU: it was the first of a new and comprehensive generation of free trade agreements, as well as the first to require the European Parliament's approval following the new provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon.

In 2010, the EU-Republic of Korea relationship was also formally upgraded to a Strategic Partnership.

The delegation has followed this evolution closely in its regular meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg, as well as in its inter-parliamentary meetings with elected representatives from the National Assembly.

During the 2019-2024 mandate, two inter-parliamentary meetings took place with the National Assembly were held. The 21st EU-Republic of Korea IPM took place Brussels in November 2019. The 22nd EU-Republic of Korea IPM took place in Seoul in September 2022.

Aims

DKOR aim is to contribute through its parliamentary diplomacy tools to the strengthening of the EU-Republic of Korea Strategic Partnership. In the 2024-2029 mandate, DKOR delegation intends to intensify its exchanges with the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.

At the same time, the delegation continues its work towards a de-escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula.