A multi-party delegation of Irish politicians is leaving this weekend on a fact-finding mission to North Korea.
The delegation, sponsored by Trocaire, includes Mr Eamon Gilmore of Democratic Left, Labour MEP Ms Bernie Malone, Fine Gael's Mr Brian Hayes and the SDLP's Dr Joe Hendron.
Trocaire described the trip as a consciousness-raising visit, designed to assess the severity of the famine and to see how Ireland and the EU can engage constructively with the North Korean regime. The politicians will be accompanied by three senior Trocaire staff.
Millions of North Koreans are facing starvation following disastrous floods over the past two years and the collapse of the economy since the break-up of its ally, the Soviet Union.
The North Korean government has also given permission to a second Irish agency, Concern, to send an assessment team later this month.