List of Australian Ambassadors to North Korea
Australian Ambassador to North Korea | |
---|---|
Inaugural holder |
Stephen FitzGerald (resident in Peking, China) |
Formation | 1975 |
Abolished | 1976 |
The Australian Ambassador to North Korea was the Australian Government’s foremost diplomatic representative in North Korea.[1]
The Department of Foreign Affairs told media in March 1973 that the Australian Government had agreed to have "practical working contact" with North Korea.[2] In February 1974, the department would not comment on reports that Australia was close to recognising North Korea officially.[3] Then Australian Foreign Minister Don Willesee announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with North Korea on 31 July 1974.[4]
The Australian Embassy in Pyongyang was opened on 30 April 1975 by John Watson, Resident Charge. Watson had a staff of about six, with some local employees.[5] Stephen FitzGerald, who was resident Ambassador to China, was accredited Ambassador to North Korea.[6] He presented his credentials to North Korea's vice president on 30 May 1975.[7]
The embassy was closed on 8 November 1975 following inter-Governmental problems and Australian staff were withdrawn.[8] Australia did not withdraw the accreditation of its non-resident Ambassador to North Korea, but did not renew the accreditation when it changed ambassadors to China.[9] Talks on re-establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries were had in 1979,[10] and again in 1990,[11] but to date the relationship has not been restored.
References
- ↑ CA 7167: Australian Embassy, North Korea [Pyongyang], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 26 January 2016
- ↑ "Diplomatic approaches to N. Korea". The Canberra Times. ACT. 22 March 1973. p. 15.
- ↑ "Australia wants to recognise N. Korea". The Canberra Times. ACT. 7 February 1974. p. 3.
- ↑ "An envoy for North Korea". The Canberra Times. ACT. 1 August 1974. p. 7.
- ↑ Cranston, Frank (31 October 1975). "N. Korean mission closed". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 1.
- ↑ Cranston, Frank (10 August 1977). "North Korea one up in diplomacy". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 15.
- ↑ "Credentials". The Canberra Times. ACT. 2 June 1975. p. 3.
- ↑ "Six embassy staff". The Canberra Times. ACT. 7 November 1975. p. 1.
- ↑ Cranston, Frank (3 November 1976). "North Korean post not changed". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 10.
- ↑ "Talks begin on diplomatic ties with N. Korea". The Canberra Times. ACT. 8 August 1979. p. 8.
- ↑ "Secret talks with North Korea on relations", The Canberra Times, ACT, p. 5, 7 November 1990