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		MEP in North Korea as nuclear debate hots up Monday, 18th July 2005 On July 10th, North Korea announced it would return to the stalled six-party talks on its nuclear programme, having earlier claimed to possess nuclear weapons. On that day, East Midlands Conservative MEP Roger Helmer was actually in Pyongyang, North Korea, as part of a European parliament delegation, engaged in meetings with government ministers and with members of the NK Supreme People's Assembly. The delegation urged the NK government to move urgently towards a resolution of the nuclear stand-off, which threatens peace and stability in the region. They also had an opportunity to visit factories and NGO projects in the country. Commenting after his visit, Helmer said: "The timing of this visit was ideal, just as key announcements were being made about the critical nuclear issue. We were able to see first-hand the serious problems that NK is facing with its economy, its agriculture and its infrastructure”. "The NK government knows that it needs help, but is terrified of losing control in this last remaining communist totalitarian state. We must hope that the talks succeed, as failure could lead to catastrophe for the Korean peninsula". Mr Helmer and the delegation also had meetings with members of the Chinese National People's Congress in Beijing, and with South Korean government ministers and with Prime Minister H.C. Lee in Seoul, South Korea.