D.W. Baron van Lynden counsels the Minister not to recognize North Korea unless both Koreas accede to the United Nations AND the Communist countries recognize South Korea. 4 June 1973 memorandum attached.

A Dutch memorandum on the possibilities of the government recognizing North Korea.

Informs of a message relayed through the Hungarian government from the Ambassador of North Korea in Berlin, that he would like to make an official visit to the Netherlands.

Informs of a message relayed through the Hungarian government from the Ambassador of North Korea in Berlin, that he would like to make an official visit to the Netherlands.

A Dutch Government memorandum weighs the issues and problems involved in opening up relations with North Korea.

The East Asia Department replies to the previous memorandum stating the request should be refused because: (i) presently there are no official relations; (ii) the coming U.N. debate makes this extra sensitive for South Korea; (iii) Australia, fellow UNCURK member and closest to the Netherlands politically, recently refused a similar request; (iv) little new is to be expected from having a meeting; (v) it would be good to keep the initiative in establishing contacts with the North Koreans.

The Hungarian representative has visited the Ministry relaying a request from the North Korean Ambassador in East-Berlin to visit the Netherlands in an unofficial capacity, most likely in relation to the upcoming U.N. debates about Korea. The memorandum asks the East Asia Department for its reply.

Brief note relaying that the July 18 message from Warsaw has been requested for viewing by the chief of the DKP department.

Tengbergen reports an telephone call by the North Korean Embassy Counsel requesting to meet with him informally, which he declined.

Van Schelle reports that pending the outcome of an investigation the Belgian government has told its Embassy in Warsaw to avoid further contacts with the North Koreans. Furthermore the Belgian Embassy in Bern will look into a presumable visit to Switzerland by a highly placed North Korean and possible motivation of the Swiss to establish a North Korean trade office. The Belgians have reiterated their restrictive standpoint and have no current intention to recognize North Korea