New Zealand's relationship with North Korea isn't
likely to change because of the death of Kim Jong Il and the succession
of his son Kim Jong Un, Prime Minister John Key says.
North
Korea's official news agency announced on Monday that Kim Jong Il, 69,
died from exhaustion and a heart attack on a train during a rural
inspection tour.
"It will be an interesting transition," Mr Key told reporters on Tuesday.
"When
Kim Jong Un was first touted as leader we started to see some activity
against South Korea so I'm not sure you can say the world will be a
safer place."
Mr Key says he hopes Kim Jong Un will back away from the nuclear threat North Korea poses.
Asked
whether New Zealand's relationship would change, he replied: "In the
short term, no. I imagine he will run North Korea as his father did, as a
very closed society that doesn't welcome foreigners - I really can't
see a lot changing in the short term."
NZN