Burma’s pro-democracy groups and activists have expressed their unhappiness about the resumption of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Burma, saying the development will bring no positive progress for Burma and its people.

“The resumption of diplomatic tie between North Korea and Burma can’t be beneficial to the people of Burma or the country’s transition to democracy,” said Myint Thein, spokesman of the main opposition National League for Democracy.

Late last month, Burma’s deputy foreign minister, Kyaw Thu, and his North Korean counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il, signed an agreement in Rangoon to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ko Ko Gyi, a leader of the 88 Generation Students group, commented in a phone interview from Rangoon: “The relations between the two countries should be the relations of their people. If the governments don’t represent their people, then the relation will be the one between the governments who seized power.”

Burma and North Korea are united in their opposition to the US and its Western allies, who are pressing for democratic change there. The two countries were designated by the US as “outposts of tyranny” in 2005.

Another veteran politician and a former ambassador to China, Thakin Chan Htun, said he thought the US policy towards the two countries had contributed to the restoration of diplomatic ties. Chan Htun, who is based in Rangoon, said, “The military government can’t take into account the misdeeds of North Korea in the past because they consider any country who totally opposes the US as a friend.”

Chan Htun said he couldn’t agree with the resumption of diplomatic ties with “a country that insults our country without at least a public apology for their past misdeeds.”

Relations between Burma and North Korea were disrupted in 1983 when North Korean agents attacked South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan and his delegation during an official visit to Rangoon.

The socialist government led by Ne Win asked for an official apology from the North Korean government. None was forthcoming.