October 21, 1976
Notice from the Department for Protocol, 'Continuation of Notice dated October 18 regarding Expulsion of Korean Diplomats'
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HB/bhf
PRO. j.nr.
Notice
Continuation of notice dated October 18. regarding expulsion of Korean diplomats.
After submitting the second notice (attachment 6 of the notice mentioned in header) from the Foreign Ministry to the North Korean Ambassador in Beijing, Ambassador Kjeld Mortensen has informed the Foreign Ministry of the North Korean reactions thus far. (attachment II 1).
Due to difficulties with regards to translation, the North Korean Ambassador’s reply is somewhat ambivalent. Kjeld Mortensen has sent a supplementary telex regarding the translation. (attachment II 2).
Here follows the North Korean Ambassador’s reply, as translated by the interpreter:
“The position of the Danish government is understandable. We regret very much. We have nothing to argue with you about and I regret that we requested you to reconsider the matter. We shall report to Pyongyang.”
Another meeting took place at the Danish Embassy in Beijing on October 19., where the North Korean Ambassador stated that the government was unable to reach their Embassy in Copenhagen. He was of the opinion that «the Danish thug» had attacked the Embassy, and expressed his hope that provocations directed against the Embassy would not take place, so as to avoid «bad sentiments amongst the people [of North Korea] which will take due action».
Ambassador Kjeld Mortensen notes that he is concerned about the poorly concealed threats against the employees of F.L. Smidth in North Korea. (attachment II 3).
In telex dated October 20., the Foreign Ministry has asked Ambassador Kjeld Mortensen to assure the North Korean government that disturbances have not taken place outside the Embassy, although the protest has received some press coverage, and the Danish Government has taken precautionary measures in order to secure the safe departure of the diplomats.
After receiving the abovementioned telex from Beijing, the Foreign Ministry has reported from the Tokyo Embassy that F.L. Smidth in North Korea has yet to see any reactions from the North Korean side. (attachment II 4).
According to a notice dated October 20., the North Korean Embassy here has appointed a chargé d’affaires, 1 Third Secretary, and 1 attaché. (attachment II 5). Whether these will receive approval from the Danish side has yet to be considered.
The Foreign Ministry has been informed that the 4 expelled diplomats left Denmark on the evening of October 20.
Furthermore, The Finnish Foreign Ministry has now stated that the government of Finland has expelled 2 diplomats (chargé d’affaires and the Second Embassy Secretary), as well as two Embassy functionaries. 1 diplomat (attaché) is now left at the North Korean Embassy in Helsinki. (attachment II 7).
Department for Protocol, October 21. 1976
The North Korean ambassador expressed regret but also he gave a concern toward safety from the attack. However, there was not directly aggressive activity toward the North Korean embassy. The Finnish Foreign Ministry informed expulsion of the people of the North Korean embassy.
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