Oversigt

The Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula focuses both on the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and its northern neighbour, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).

Inter-parliamentary meetings with the elected representatives from South Korea's parliament, the National Assembly, have been regular and productive.

On the other hand, inter-parliamentary meetings with the DPRK's parliament, the Supreme People's Assembly, have become more infrequent. Although the European Parliament's delegation initially tried to keep the channels of communication open, political and military developments in the North - and particularly its nuclear and ballistic missile tests - have made the delegation's outreach less tenable.

Composition

The DKOR delegation counts 13 full members, as well as a number of substitute members.

The Delegation is chaired by César LUENA (ES, S&D). Danuše NERUDOVÁ (CZ, EPP) and Hanna GEDIN (SE, The Left) are the Vice-Chairs and, together with the Chair form the Bureau of the Delegation.

The Chair and Vice-Chairs are elected by the other members of the delegation, while the members are nominated by the Parliament's political groups. The political balance of the delegation mirrors that of the Parliament as a whole.

Work and focus

In addition to attending inter-parliamentary meetings, which are held in alternating venues in the Republic of Korea and the European Parliament's places of work, the delegation regularly meets on its own in Brussels and Strasbourg.

These meetings often include guests who contribute to exchanges of views with members of the delegation. Staff from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), researchers from think tanks and academia, representatives of civil society and senior diplomats have all contributed to the delegation's discussions.