Two to visit North Korea

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34151, 12 May 1976, Page 29

Two to visit North Korea

fN.Z. Press Association) | WELLINGTON, Personal invitations from the Government of North Korea to visit that country have been accepted by the Rev. Don Borrie, of Porirua East, and Mr Gordon Walker, of ChristchurchMr Walker is a member of the Christchurch Trades Council, and Mr Borrie is chairman of the Wellington branch of the New ZealandDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea Society. They will leave on Friday and expect to return to New Zealand about June 10 after spending five days on their return in China. Mr Walker said on Monday evening that the invitation for himself and Mr Borrie came as a direct result of a visit made there by a Christchurch economist, Mr W. Rosenberg, about three years ago. After that visit, Mr Rosenburg had formed the New Zealand-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Society,

land two years ago a delegation from North Korea visited New Zealand on a cultural mission, said Mr Walker.

Early last month the Government had refused visas to a delegation to visit New Zealand because it could be seen as political rather than sporting or cultural. Onlv private visits were allowed, because New Zealand did not recognise the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea, the Government said. Mr Walker, who is a member of the nation 1 executive committee of the society, said that he was delighted to be invited, and wanted to see if many of the things New Zealanders had heard were true. He did not have an itinerary. He knew only that he was to arrive in the capital' —Pyongyang — next Tuesday.

Mr Rosenberg is already in North Korea. He has gone there to complete research for a book on the economies of the two Koreas, and to arrange an itinerary for the delegation from New Zealand, said another member of the society.