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 Krzysztof Ciebień.
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, only 5% of Poles view North Korea's influence positively, with 68% expressing a negative view.
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.
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). Value of trade in 2007 was 15.207 million USD, including Polish export at 0.507 million USD:
Polish export: 0.507 million USDPolish import: 14.7 million USDThe most important goods exported by Poland were meats and other food products, mechanical and electronic tools as well as clothing products.
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.
Agreement between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on creation of Polish Red Cross hospital in KoreaSignature date: 1953-05-08
Agreement on cultural cooperation between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Signature date: 1956-05-11
Protocol between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea concerning the amendment to article 4 of the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, signed at Pyongyang on 11 May 1956.Signature date: 1966-09-28
Agreement between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the establishment of the Consultative Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical MattersSignature date: 1972-10-04
Agreement between Governments of the Polish People's Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on mutual granting rights to use of lots designated for construction of embassy buildingsSignature date: 1966-05-10
Protocol partial amending the Agreement between Governments of the Polish People's Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on mutual granting rights to use of lots designated for construction of embassy buildingsSignature date: 1977-05-30
Agreement between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on air servicesSignature date: 1978-08-28
Consular Convention between the Polish People's Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Signature date: 1982-08-03
Consular Convention between the Polish People's Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Signature date: 1982-08-03
Agreement between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on cooperation in production of MI-2 helicopters in KoreaSignature date: 1986-03-27
Agreement between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on deliveries of goods and payments of thereto related produce of MI-8 helicoptersSignature date: 1986-10-30
Agreement between the People's Republic of Poland and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on legal assistance in civil, family and criminal matters.Signature date: 1986-09-28
Agreement between the Government of the Polish People's Republic and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on conversion of the Korean-Polish Maritime Brokering Company into the Korean-Polish Shipping Company - a Joint Stock Limited LiabilitySignature date: 1987-02-11
As the Republic of Poland
Trade and Payment Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Signature date: 1992-05-12
Protocol between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on regulation of mutual obligations in clearing rubles in payment relations due to the alteration of the convertible currency payments from 1 January 1991Signature date: 1992-05-12
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on co-operation of fisheriesSignature date: 1997-10-02
Protocol between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on validity of bilateral international agreements in relations between the Republic of Poland and the Democratic People's Republic of KoreaSignature date: 2007-02-01
Polish visits to North Korea:
2007 - vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland (political consultations)2004 - vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland (political consultations)2001 - vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland (political consultations)Korean visits in Poland
2008 - vice minister of foreign affairs of DPRK (political consultations)
