"The European Commission, in consultation with the Member States of the European Union, has decided to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the delegation of the EC in Seoul said in a statement.

"It is hoped that this will facilitate the European Community's efforts in support of reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula, and in particular in support of economic reform and easing of the acute food and health problems (in the North)."

The statement gave no further details.

Officials at Seoul's foreign ministry said such a move by the European Commission was anticipated as most EU member countries had already opened diplomatic ties with North Korea.

The two Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended in an armed truce, not a peace treaty.

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