North Korea–Poland relations

Poland–North Korea relations

Poland

North Korea

Poland is one of the few countries that maintain diplomatic and limited trading (fishing) relations with Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Relations between the two countries began on 16 October 1948.

North Korea maintains an embassy in Warsaw, and Poland in Pyongyang. The current North Korean ambassador is unknown, but the latest known former ambassador is Kim Pyong-il. The current Polish ambassador is Edward Pietrzyk.

According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, only 5% of Poles view North Korea's influence positively, with 68% expressing a negative view.[1]

Overview

From June 1956 until 1993 Poland remained part of the NNSC (Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission) named by the DPRK and Chinese Volunteers as part of the armistice agreement. When communism fell in Poland and Czechoslovakia, KPA took over the camps and expelled the Poles and Czechs. In 1989, Poland lost its status as a "friend" and its privileged position in contacts with the DPRK. Despite the change from communism to capitalism in Poland in 1989 and Poland's establishing relations with South Korea, relations between Poland and DPRK remain at the fair level.

Poland also provides North Korea with small grants in farming equipment, medicine etc.

Trade relations

Economic relations between the two countries are currently maintained at the symbolic level of trade and sailing co-operation (Polish-Korean company CHOPOL Sp. z.o.o. owning one ship). [2] Value of trade in 2007 was 15.207 million USD, including Polish export at 0.507 million USD:[3]

The most important goods exported by Poland were meats and other food products, mechanical and electronic tools as well as clothing products.

Diplomatic relations

North Korean embassy in Warsaw

Poland maintains its embassy in Pyongyang and DPRK maintains its embassy in Warsaw. As of 2009, Republic of Poland and DPRK signed 16 bilateral treaties, 12 as People's Republic of Poland and 4 as Republic of Poland.[4]

Bilateral treaties

As Polish People's Republic

Signature date: 1953-05-08

Signature date: 1956-05-11

Signature date: 1966-09-28

Signature date: 1972-10-04

Signature date: 1966-05-10

Signature date: 1977-05-30

Signature date: 1978-08-28

Signature date: 1982-08-03

Signature date: 1982-08-03

Signature date: 1986-03-27

Signature date: 1986-10-30

Signature date: 1986-09-28

Signature date: 1987-02-11

As the Republic of Poland

Signature date: 1992-05-12

Signature date: 1992-05-12

Signature date: 1997-10-02

Signature date: 2007-02-01

Official visits between the countries

Polish visits to North Korea:

Korean visits in Poland

See also

References


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