The Jhr. Vegelin van Claerbergen proposes to the chief of the department to loosen the reins in relations with North Korea, both for reasons of commerce and of politics, namely engaging North Korea to allow it to become less dependent on China.

Reports on a request from Dutch shipbuilding company Verolme N.V. to reconsider the Dutch standpoint regarding the establishment of a (semi-)permanent North Korean representation in the Netherlands to further commercial contacts. Verolme was told there is no reason to reconsider, also given that it was currently able to procure large orders already - two ships were to be delivered to North Korea in September. The American Embassy was confidentially informed of this.

The Ministry informs the Ambassador in Moscow that elsewhere North Korean representatives have made similar overtures, none of which have been responded to in a positive manner.

The Dutch Ambassador reports on North Korean overtures such as sending propaganda and an invitation to a cocktail-laced viewing of a movie about the USS Pueblo (which was ignored). Having inquired with other NATO countries' representatives it turned out that only the Luxemburg representative received the same literature while only the Norwegian representative was invited to the cocktail party.

Handwritten memorandum regarding a draft message to the Dutch Permanent Representation to NATO in Brussels, suggesting that the North Korean attempts at establishing contact should be mentioned for completeness.

J.A. Erich informs the Embassy in Prague that elsewhere there have also been attempts by North Korea to establish official contact with the Netherlands.

The Dutch Ambassador in Prague reports on North Korean attempts to establish "official" contact with the Netherlands, as well as their interest in contacting Dutch companies.

Dutch official J.J. Derksen reports on a conversation initiated by North Korean Trade Council representative Choi Jung Keun, who proposed to establish some kind of office in the Netherlands or even have a delegation visit, to which Derksen gave a non-committal reply.

A brief note suggests that the 12-page note sent to the Ministry by the North Korean Embassy in Prague should be returned as if never read. The 31 October 1967 North Korean note, introduced by a brief letter in English and provided both in French and in Korean, deals with U.S. imperialism and the risk of war it entails.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Luns replies that Calkoen should respond to the request with the refusal as phrased in Calkoen's 19 May telegram.