Brussels, 27/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The External Relations Council had a brief exchange of views on North Korea without adopting conclusions on this subject. The debate, nevertheless, allowed Ministers to highlight the fact that this case, linked to nuclear proliferation posed a real problem for international security and was therefore within the remit of the United Nations, where a contact group, including permanent members of the Security Council, Japan and Australia, had been set up. South Korea had been requesting a European Union intervention and the Greek Presidency has indicated that it is prepared to envisage a visit. The COPS has been given the task of studying whether it would be feasible to sent a high level mission to North Korea.