Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), will visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, from 17 to 20 November, and the Republic of Korea on 20 and 21 November.

Dr Brundtland will assess the health situation in DPR Korea and discuss future developments of DPR Korea's health system and investments to improve health. She will also open WHO's Country Office in Pyongyang.

Dr Brundtland will have meetings with a number of government officials, including the President of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Ministers of Health and Foreign Affairs.

In the Republic of Korea, Dr Brundtland will have discussions with, among others, President Kim Dae-Jung, the Minister of Health and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Dr Brundtland will hold a press conference at 11h00, 20 November in Beijing upon her return from DPR Korea, and at 11h40, 21 November in Seoul. More details on the two press conferences will be made available to journalists in those cities closer to the time.