Memorandum on Cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of State Security of the DPRK and the Ministry of Interior of the People’s Republic of Poland

Warsaw, 1985–12–

S E C R E T

MEMORANDUM

on cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of State Security of the DPRK and the Ministry of Interior of the People’s Republic of Poland

At the urgent request of the Korean side, the first 3-person delegation with the Deputy Minister Chae Mun-tok visited Poland on July 21–30, 1983.

The Korean comrades were interested in the experience of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, technical equipment, obtaining models of equipment and the possibility to purchase them. The delegation visited the barracks of the Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia (ZOMO), Warsaw Office of Internal Affairs (SUSW) Security Department, the Forensic Science Department and the Militia Road Traffic School at Piaseczno.

Between January 23–31, 1984, a [Polish] delegation visited the DPRK, headed by the Commandant of the Citizens’ Militia, Com[rade] Brig. Gen. Józef Beim. The visit was arranged at the invitation of the Minister for Public Security Com[rade]  Ri Chun-su as a return revisit.

The Polish comrades were interested in the organizational structure of the Korean militia and in the control system, in the organization of combating crime, in the system of preventive actions (with particular regard to social prevention). During the visit of our delegation, the Korean comrades indicated the need to strengthen contacts and cooperation through exchange of experiences and of delegations at different levels. They expressed their interest in developing and strengthening cooperation between both countries, including the ministries.

The Korean side was particularly interested in obtaining means and equipment for identifying traces and forensic research, firefighters’ equipment and [all kinds of] special equipment.

During their stay, the Polish delegation became acquainted with the activities of the Political Institute (Ministry of Public Security cadres’ training school), the Dogs’ Training Center (tracker dogs, defense dogs, bloodhounds), Public Security Stations, and also with the service of soldiers of the DPRK Army on the demarcation line near Panmunjom.

Between July 19-30, 1984, a four-member delegation from the Ministry of Public Security headed by the Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, com[rade]  Col. Kim Tae-moon.

The guests were interested in: procedures of registering persons who committed or intend to commit an offense and in habitual offenders, methods and measures used by the Citizens’ Militia (MO) during the investigation for the purpose of finding the offender, the use of technical equipment to check the authenticity of the money in circulation, and in visiting one of the Regional Offices of Internal Affairs. The delegation visited all the MO Headquarters, Warsaw ZOMO, the Militia Road Traffic School at Piaseczno, and the National Headquarters of the State Fire Service. The Korean comrades also visited at the local Offices of Internal Affairs in Toruń, Elbląg and Gdańsk.

Between October 21–31, 1984, a four-person delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Public Security Lt. Gen. LEE SAN BEK visited the Headquarters of the State Fire Service. The purpose of the visit was to define the conditions and assess the possibilities of training Korean specialists in the Main School of Fire Service. The guests were acquainted with the educational and training base of the school and had discussions on the training opportunities of the Korean comrades.

Pre-conditions for agreement on the subject of training were laid down for the Korean comrades. A protocol prepared on the training of 3–5 employees of the DPRK Ministry of Public Security (MPS) at the Main School of Fire Service beginning in the academic year 1985/86.

The commencement of a 5-year period of study will be preceded by a 10-month course of the Polish language for foreign nationals in Łódź, the DPRK MPS will reimburse the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the People’s Republic of Poland for all actual expenses related to teaching, equipment and board at the Polish language course, and then during the studies of delegated employees. The protocol was signed during the May 1985 visit to Pyongyang of the delegation from Ministry of Internal Affairs of the People’s Republic of Poland, headed by Undersecretary of State Div. Gen.  Stanisław Zaczkowski.

In September 1985, five Korean functionaries began their studies at the Polish language course for foreigners in Łódź.

From April 17 to May 1, 1985, a four-member delegation of the capital Fire Department, headed by the Pyongyang Chief of the Fire Service  Col. DZHO CHIL [sic; proper spelling unknown], visited Poland. 

On May 24, 1984, the DPRK Deputy Minister for State Security com[rade] Kim Yong-ryong visited the Minister, com[rade] Gen. of the Branch, Czesław Kiszczak. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the safety and security measures to be adopted during the stay in Poland of the DPRK leader com[rade]  Kim Il Sung and co-operation in this field with the Polish comrades.

In June 1985, talks were held in Warsaw between the delegation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the People’s Republic of Poland, headed by Undersecretary of State Div. Gen.  Władysław Pożoga and DPRK MSS [Ministry of State Security] delegation headed by Deputy Minister Gen. Kim Yong-ryong.

The talks ended with the signing of a Protocol setting out arrangements for cooperation between the security services.

On 9–18 October [1985], Deputy Minister for Public Security, Lt. Gen. LEE SAN BEK, visited Warsaw and on October 16 com[rade] Gen. of the Branch Czesław Kiszczak.

During his stay in Poland, he visited the Łódź Headquarters of the Fire Service, the Fire Service Cadet School in Poznań, the Ministry of Internal Affairs resort At Kiekrz, the Research and Fire Service Research and Development Center at Józefów near Warsaw as well as ZOMO [barracks] in Łódź and Warsaw. He acquainted himself with the fire protection system in the North Port and Gdańsk Refinery.

As a result of the talks Lt. Gen. LEE SAN BEK repeatedly asked for free samples of weapons and personal equipment Citizens’ Militia functionaries. By decision of the Minister, he was provided with individual items of arms used by militia functionaries and one automatic tear-gas grenade launcher /AWGŁ/.

X X X

At the invitation of the Chief Director General of the Guard Command, Gen. of the Branch, Ri Ul Sol [sic; proper spelling unknown], com[rade] Col. Lucjan Wiślicz and his spouse spent their holidays in the DPRK.