ARGENTINA - NORTH KOREA: BREAK IN RELATIONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06757672
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2018
• Case Number: F-2018-00894
• Publication Date: June 30, 1977

Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672
Latin America
America
REGIONAL AND
POLITICAL ANALYSES
133
RE' RP ALA 77-046
30 June 1977
Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672
Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672
Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672
Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672
(b)(3)
LATIN AMERICA
AMERICA
30 June 1977
CONTENTS
Argentina - North Korea: Break in
Relations 10.
This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington community by
the Latin America Division, Office of Regional and Political Analysis, with oc-
casional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of Intelligence and
from other agencies within the Intelligence Community. Comments and queries are
welcome. They should be directed to the authors of the individual articles.
�tEC--P42_
RP ALA 77-046
30 June 1977
NR Record
NR Record
Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672
Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672
--S'E�ePrE-Z.
Argentina - North Korea: Break in Relations
Argentina recently severed diplomatic relations
with North Korea after Pyongyang's entire mission had
abruptly left the country. The break was largely a
product of the suspicion with which the Videla govern-
ment has viewed North Korean activities in Argentina.
The move undoubtedly pleased the highly conservative
Argentine navy, which controls the Foreign Ministry.
The North Koreans contend that they left Argentina
because of harassment and surveillance by Argentine
security and intelligence services. A note of explan-
ation to President Videla stated that until the situation
improved, North Korean diplomatic matters with Argentina
would be handled by the mission in Cuba; no mention was
made, however, of ending diplomatic relations.
The staunchly anti-Marxist government in Buenos
Aires, suspicious that communist aid is going to sub-
versive groups in Argentina, has long kept close watch
on the communist missions. Official Soviet and Romanian
personnel, as well as communist news correspondents,
are restricted to a limited area in and around Buenos
Aires, and North Korean staff members were also under
travel restrictions.
Recent reports indicate that Argentina intended
to reduce the number of both North Korean and Cuban
personnel assigned to their embassies in Buenos Aires.
The decision to do so apparently was awaiting an assess-
ment of economic and political benefits and losses.
The North Koreans have steadily reduced the staff
of their mission in Buenos Aires over the past year in
response to obvious Argentine irritation about impro-
prieties and the crude behavior of North Korean diplo-
mats.
10
RP ALA 77-046
30 June 1977
Approved for Release: 2018/08/13 C06757672