Pyongyang, November 28 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government will positively contribute to the international efforts for marine security and environmental protection.

The head of the DPRK delegation declared this stand, speaking at the 27th convention of the International Maritime Organization on November 22.

The present reality, in which global trade is to still rely on the traditional marine transport, calls for enhanced responsibility and role of the IMO supporting it, he said.

Noting that the DPRK government is concentrating all efforts on the economic construction with main stress put on radically improving the standard of people's living, he said:

Accordingly, big efforts have been directed to the work for development of the nation's marine transport.

Through preparations under the voluntary inspection system of IMO member nations in particular, a series of achievements were made in implementing main convention and rules adopted by the IMO.

Related domestic laws and regulations were revised to smoothly implement the convention and rules and their amendments recently adopted and effectuated by IMO, and the Korean Maritime Authentication Centre was set up to further improve the quality control system of the marine administration.

The Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, equipped with standard equipment meeting the requirements under the IMO convention, has begun regular operation and a national marine search and rescue system was established to rapidly respond to SOS from ships.

In recent years the Korean Maritime Environment Fund was organized to further strengthen the national system for emergency measure on ship oil spill and measures were provided to take instant and effective response in this field.

The DPRK government will as ever boost the friendly and cooperative relations with the IMO member states in the consistent idea of external policy--independence, peace and friendship.