RP, N. Korea to forge ties

RP, N. Korea to forge ties

MANILA (AP): North Korea and the Philippines will sign an
agreement next Wednesday establishing diplomatic ties, clearing
the way for the communist country to participate in a regional
security forum later this month, officials said on Friday.

North Korean Ambassador to Thailand Jo In-chol is expected to
arrive in Manila on Sunday to sign the agreement, portions of
which must still be finalized, Philippine officials said.

North Korea objects to a portion of the proposed agreement,
stating that both countries are committed to halting
proliferation of nuclear weapons, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary
Lauro Baja Jr. said.

The two sides will probably agree on softer language calling
for mutual respect of international agreements that the countries
are already committed to, such as the Philippines' signing of the
International Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Baja said.