The British Foreign Office said Tuesday that its minister Bill Rammell would visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in September for the first time since the two countries established diplomatic ties four years ago.

According to the Foreign Office, during his stay in the DPRK, Rammell would meet with DPRK officials for talks that will include the DPRK's nuclear program.

"I believe the time is right for a British minister to visit, as the North Koreans have for the first time agreed that they are willing to discuss with us the human rights situation in North Korea (the DPRK)," Rammell said in a statement.

"I will urge North Korea to remain committed to the agreed objectives of the talks process, namely the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," Rammell added.

Britain established diplomatic relations with the DPRK in December 2000 and opened its embassy in Pyongyang in July 2001.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2004)