Reference :
V-P-KP-E-00009
Date :
16/07/2013
Caption :
North Pyeongan, Provincial Baby Orphanage. Nap-time. The ICRC donated food to the orphanage in late 2011 following flooding in the region.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, News Release, 20/08/2013
ICRC president visits the Korean Peninsula
Geneva (ICRC) - President Peter Maurer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) touched down in Pyongyang today at the start of an official visit to the Korean Peninsula. The last presidential visit to both States on the peninsula took place 21 years ago.
Mr Maurer will discuss a range of humanitarian topics with senior government and Red Cross officials in the two Koreas. The plight of the thousands of family members who remain separated by the Korean War, many years after the cessation of active hostilities, will be among the issues addressed.
"This visit, which comes 60 years after the armistice agreement, is an opportunity to reaffirm the ICRC's readiness to help resolve humanitarian issues on the Korean Peninsula," said Mr Maurer. "It also reflects our wish to broaden our exchanges and cooperation with both countries."
The ICRC has had a permanent presence in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for over 10 years. Together with the national Red Cross, it supports a physical rehabilitation centre in Pyongyang and four provincial hospitals providing physical rehabilitation and orthopaedic surgery. In his talks with the authorities in Pyongyang, the ICRC president will discuss these activities and how they may be developed further.
The visit to the Republic of Korea comes as the ICRC is considering an expansion of its presence in the country, to better engage with the authorities and the national Red Cross on matters of worldwide humanitarian concern.
Mr Maurer will stay in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea until 23 August. He will then travel to Beijing to attend the award ceremony of the Florence Nightingale Medal, which is bestowed on exceptionally qualified nurses, before flying to Seoul for a two-day visit.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
5616x3744
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
