An Archive-Based Analysis of the East-Berlin Affair (June 1967 to 1970): Political and Diplomatic Relations between South Korea and West Germany

Abstract

This paper discusses the so-called East-Berlin Affair in

the late 1960s which is considered the single most

important political and diplomatic affair between South

Korea and West Germany. In this research we aim to

present an overview of the related archival materials

available at the political archives of the Getman Ministry

of Foreign Affairs in Berlin. The German. documents from

the political archives reveal that South Korean nationals

suspected of espionage activities against South Korea were

forced to leave for Seoul suddenly and that the

intelligence officials from South Korea were deeply involved

in the German territory for this unlawful operation. The

West German government became very upset with this

diplomatic affair. Korean government eventually released

all the accused who were later found guilty of espionage

against South Korea. However, we notice some differences in diplomatic strategies between the two countries for

solving the case at issue.