New Zealand – North Korea relations ( Korean : 뉴질랜드-조선민주주의인민공화국 관계 ) refers to international relations between New Zealand and North Korea . Relations between the two countries have been almost non-existent since the division of Korea . During the Korean War in the 1950s , New Zealand troops fought as part of the United Nations force that repelled the North Korean invasion of South Korea . Since then , New Zealand and North Korea have had little contact , until July 2000 when North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Phil Goff met in Bangkok , leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations in March 2001 . The New Zealand ambassador to South Korea based in Seoul is also cross-accredited to North Korea . In 2006 , North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon , drawing criticism and suspension of relations by the New Zealand government , which holds a staunch anti-nuclear policy . New Zealand began re-establishing formal relations in 2007 , when the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters visited Pyongyang on November 20 to discuss possible political and economic deals with North Korea , on the basis that it start dismantling its nuclear weapons facilities
tested its first nuclear weapon
2006 North Korean nuclear test
New Zealand–North Korea relations