October 25, 1976
Telegram from the Danish Embassy in Stockholm, 'North Korea’s Embassy/Smuggling'
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TELEGRAM TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY
ORIGINAL
DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT FOR PROTOCOL
Embassy in Stockholm, amtel 161 dated 25.10.1976, 10:05.
Priority
North Korea’s embassy/smuggling
amtel 160 dated 22.10.1976
The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the North Korean Ambassador left Sweden on October 21. Several employees left the following day, and it is not clear who is in charge of the Embassy at the current time. Expulsions do not seem necessary under these circumstances. Foreign Minister Karin Soeder has stated: “This gross misuse of diplomatic immunity by service personnell in a Stockholm Embassy can only be characterized as shocking. Large quantities of spirits and tobacco has been imported and distributed illegally to the Swedish market. Swedish terrotiry has served as a base from which shipments of narcotics have been distributed. It is incomprehensible that official representatives from a country with whom we enjoy normal diplomatic relations has carried out such blatantly illegal activities.”
In another press release from the Foreign Ministry, it is stated:
“On October 18, federal police sent a preliminary report suggesting personnell of the Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have been involved in illicit trade of spirits and tobacco, and perhaps also in the handling of narcotics. Further evidence was received over the following days, clearly indicating that several members of the Embassy had been involved in this illegal activity. Four Swedish citizens have been arrested and pleaded guilty to buying large quantities of spirits and cigarettes from the Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The Swedish government clearly recognises the seriousness of this affair. It is however the hope of the government that this will not disturb the continuation of normal diplomatic relations between Sweden and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Schram-Nielsen 161
This report expresses their disappointment toward the North Korea to take place such smuggling affairs despite their normal diplomatic relations in Sweden.
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