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October 19, 1976

Notes to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 'Smuggling - North Korea's Embassy'

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ORIGINAL + 3 COPIES

 

NOTES TO THE MINISTER OF FOREIGIN AFFAIRS

 

SECRET

 

SMUGGLING – NORTH KOREA’S EMBASSY

 

With reference to letter dated 18. October 1976 (ov. 5534/76/GH/RRÆ.) With attachment from Police Security Service.

 

After being informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs that the issue has received approval from the Government, I summoned chargé d’affaires Pak [Gi-pil] to my office today (18/10) at 3.30pm.

 

Chargé d’affaires Pak arrived on time accompanied by the Norwegian speaking interpreter - 3rd Secretary Li [Song-jin]. Director General Eliassen was also present.

 

After introductions, I informed of the following, which was translated into Korean.

 

On Friday, 15. October, five Norwegians were arrested, suspected to have illegally purchased large quantities of spirits and cigarettes from the North Korean Embassy in Oslo. The five suspects have pleaded guilty.

 

According to information the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has obtained from the Police, all embassy personnel has been involved in this illegal activity, including the Ambassador in Stockholm.

 

The nature of the evidence presented by the police has forced the Norwegian Government to declare persona non grata the following persons:

 

Ambassador GIL Jae-gyeong [Kil Jae Gyong] (Stockholm)

Embassy Counsellor Pak Gi-pil [sic] (chargé d’affaires)

3rd Secretary Li Song-jin [sic]

3rd Secretary Ryu Ryong-song [sic]

Chaffeur Ryom Sok-gu [sic]

 

The functionaries who reside in Oslo are advised to leave the country within six days.

 

Chargé d’affaires of the North Korean Embassy in Oslo is informed that all embassy personnel (including the ambassador) must leave the country following the discovery of wide-scale smuggling activities.

Author(s):


Document Information

Source

Dossier 14.1/45, 1970-1979, Archives Section, Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway. Obtained by Charles Kraus and translated by August Myrseth.

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2017-03-28

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Note

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134886

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